By Abubakar Abba, Kaduna
Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) say to make Nigeria’s democracy more robust and enduring, political parties should practice more inclusion for women, young people and Persons with Disabilities.
Musa, stated this during an advocacy visit to political parties in Kaduna.
Speaking through the National Coordinator of Interfaith Mediation Centre Kaduna, Mr Samson Auta; Musa said, political parties have a huge responsibility of creating a balance especially among different interest groups that make up a society.
He said enhancing opportunities for marginalized groups to participate in politics has become a growing global priority which Nigeria cannot be left out.
He noted that while political parties may seem highly inclusive in their constitutions and other guiding documents, the concept remains on paper. “Compliance to the processes, provisions that would improve opportunities for women, young people, and Persons with Disabilities are in contrast.
He said, the advocacy becomes needful after a study conducted by the Kukah Centre, supported by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance (EU-SDGN). This research identified a significant need for better inclusion of marginalized groups within political parties.
He cautioned that the absence of internal democracy and broad citizens participation can lead to distrust in party processes, unpopular decisions by a few, lack of accountability, and political violence.
He also hinted that CISLAC plans to host a political summit for all parties in Kaduna State to further the cause of inclusion.
The Kaduna State Deputy Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Baba Adamu, and the state Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria, (IPAC), Hon. Ahmed Tijani Mustapha, all
underscored the need for increased awareness to empower citizens to make informed choices.
The NNPP state deputy chairman who reflected on the recent Kaduna State local government elections, expressed disappointment on the part of CISLAC for reacting late to the election, saying “We expected CISLAC’s visit before now, but unfortunately you came when lots of citizens of the state are very unhappy with the leadership in the State concerning the polls.”
Echoing NNPP’s disappointment, Dr. Adamu said “We thought CISLAC should have come earlier than this to enable us brainstorm on the political activities. But now that you people are here, the aim has been defeated.”
He also expressed dismay over the conspiracy of silence that permeated the air after the polls, and accused the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), for not issuing any press statements condemning the elections which he claimed, did not hold, yet, people were sworn-in. “Lots of our party members are disappointed and are not happy with the party in the state because they feel the party is not able to protect their mandate. But, we don’t have the power, we only give them the platform to aspire and contest.”
The state IPAC chairman who also doubled as the state Chairman of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Hon. Ahmed Tijani Mustapha, said his party has one of the best inclusive practice for marginalized groups, hence it does not have a secretariat but what is called “ADC Global Campus and Youth Transformation Centre” because we want to transform the youth now before 2027.
He underscored the importance of women, youth and PwDs as vital in the polity, pointing out that if political parties do away with any of the groups, they do away with a section of humanity, and also lose the grip of building the Nation because everybody has a stake.
Mustapha called on political parties to have the mentality that everybody matters be it a woman, a person with disability or a young person. ”
The party leaders acknowledged CISLAC’s valued advocacy in promoting participatory democracy not only in Kaduna State but Nigeria at large.