Reclaim political parties from business interestsn — Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has urged Nigerians to find ways to ensure that political parties fulfil their founding objectives rather than being turned into business ventures by their managers.Speaking in Abuja on Monday during a keynote address at a technical workshop on the Political Parties Bill, organised by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) in collaboration with YIAGA Africa and the Kukah Centre, Abbas, represented by Mr Ishaya Lalu, underlined the urgent need for reform in party regulation and funding.The workshop focused on strengthening Nigeria’s political party system through legislative intervention.

Abbas observed that although Nigeria operates the same presidential system as the United States, there remains a stark contrast in how political parties and campaign financing are regulated.“In the United States, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulates campaign finance and oversees aspects of party registration,” he noted.“In the United Kingdom, the Electoral Commission oversees party registration, campaign finance, and the electoral process.



Sweden similarly has a well-established agency that handles party registration and the regulation of party finance,” he added.The Speaker pointed out that while Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is responsible for registering political parties and conducting elections, the country’s political landscape requires deeper reforms.“For instance, political party funding in Nigeria has been taken over by wealthy individuals who view it as an investment opportunity.

These individuals, whether businessmen or politicians, use their financial influence to hijack political parties and impose candidates during the electoral process,” he stated.Abbas lamented that Nigerian political parties often lack any guiding principle or ideology, unlike their counterparts in more established democracies.He asserted that individuals who genuinely believe in a party’s ideology would have no reason to defect from one party to another.

“In developed democracies such as the United States, India, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, members are renowned for their loyalty and steadfastness in promoting the principles and ideologies of their parties,” he explained.He cited the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, founded in 1834, as an example of an institution that has consistently upheld its ideological stance over centuries, even while in opposition.“In Nigeria, unfortunately, the reverse is the case,” Abbas remarked.

“We must admit that political parties here are not founded on any principle or ideology. Their behaviour and performance make it clear that they lack fundamental convictions.”Turning to legislative efforts, Abbas said the Political Parties Bill currently before the National Assembly seeks to promote the independence of political parties and restore public trust in the party system.

“The Bill aims to establish an independent authority for the registration, regulation, and funding of political parties in Nigeria and related matters,” he explained.He maintained that the proposed law would enhance transparency and accountability, separating regulatory functions from direct government control.“When enacted, the bill will place party regulation in the hands of an independent, non-partisan body that will hold political parties accountable, particularly regarding campaign financing and funding sources,” he said.

Abbas expressed hope that this reform would encourage public trust in political parties and lead to improved governance, as citizens would become more active funders of the political process, thereby curbing corruption.Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the House Committee on Political Party Matters, Zakari Nyampa, described the bill as crucial, noting that it focuses on regulation, funding, accountability, and transparency in political party operations.Nyampa expressed confidence that the bill, sponsored by Speaker Abbas, would garner the necessary support from lawmakers.

“As the country continues to work towards strengthening its democracy, this bill and workshops like this are of critical importance,” Nyampa saidThe post Reclaim political parties from business interestsn — Speaker Abbas appeared first on Nigerian NewsDirect..