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Political parties and the quality of elections
Political parties and the quality of elections
The 11 TH Technical Session of The Electoral Forum was held online on Friday, 14 July 2023.
The meeting focused on understanding the impact of political parties on the quality of elections
in Nigeria.
The Chair of the Forum, Professor Adebayo Olukoshi noted that the role of political parties in
the democratic process, and the credibility/quality of elections has been a recurrent issue of
concern for The Forum. As such, the meeting was convened to focus the minds of the members
of the Forum on the role and place of political parties in the quest for strengthening democratic
governance in Nigeria, and the securing and deepening of electoral integrity in the country. As a
concrete point of entry, it was decided to examine the ways in which, over time, political parties
have impacted the quality Nigerian elections. Out of the deliberation of the members of the
Forum, ideas would be proposed for the consideration of stakeholders to help raise the standard
of political part on the quality of elections in Nigeria and propose solutions to stakeholders in
order to raise the standard of elections and the performance of political parties. The Chair noted
that strong, programme based and ideologically inclined political parties are very vital for
credible elections and democratic consolidation.
The Chairman thereafter outlined the objectives of the Technical Session as follows:
· To examine the role, significance and performance of political parties in Nigeria as
critical institutions for electoral credibility and democratic advancement.
· To review the engagement between the Independent National Electoral Commission and
political parties.
· To identify strategies and mechanisms for addressing the challenges impeding political
parties’ functionality as agents for quality elections.
During the technical session, Forum members explored theoretical, historical and practical issues
arising relating to and arising from the functionality of political parties in Nigeria and their
effectiveness in shaping election outcomes. The first presentation was by Professor Adele Jinadu
on the topic “Political Parties as Institution of Democracy: Theory and Ideals.” The presenter
noted that the struggle for democracy is a perpetual attempt to expand the political space,
inclusion, participation and accountability. This expansion has resulted in the emphasis placed on
election as the preferred modality for choosing leaders. And with elections being the preferred
approach for choosing leaders, political parties become very key to the process. According to
him, political parties and the party system in Nigeria have been shaped by a complex intersection
of colonial-rule-induced fusion of ethno-regionalism coupled with long term experience with
military rule. He further asserted that political parties have general tendency to develop internal
oligarchies of the rich and powerful who are in full control of these parties, which raises
concerns about internal democracy.
Professor Jinadu provided further insight into historical efforts at recalibrating the character of
Nigerian political parties and the challenges encountered in the process. Amongst the challenges
he identified were the proclivity for political parties and candidates to rely on ethno-regional and
religious appeals and the issue of contradictory judicial verdicts. These challenges, he observed,
have subsisted to present times as evident in the rush for ethnic voting blocs during the 2023
general elections. Consequently,the country today has neither a national party nor national
leader.
Having laid out the theoretical and historical overview of the problems inhibiting and impeding
political parties’ functionality as democratic institutions, a second presentation was made by
Hajia Amina Zakari, former INEC National Commissioner. In her analysis, she laid out a litany
of efforts exerted by INEC at engaging and strengthening political parties and the challenges
encountered. These efforts include monitoring party finance, convention and primaries,
capacity-building programmes, and enforcement of requirements of national spread and presence
in the FCT, amongst others. The success of these efforts is however limited by trust gaps
between parties and INEC, disregard for electoral rules by political parties, malfeasance by some
staff of the commission, etc.
Following extensive deliberations and inputs by Forum members on the issues raised, the Forum
proposed far-reaching recommendations for improving political parties and ensuring that they
contribute to credible elections. These recommendations include:
¾ That parties should be strengthened to ensure their survival after elections. Presently, we
have nine parties with elected representatives at the National and State Assemblies, a
diversity which might be lost if parties are not strengthened.
¾ The INEC department on Election and Party Monitoring should be reorganise and
reinforced to focus strictly on political parties’matters – registration, regulations,
monitoring etc. also, campaign finance monitoring should be given more visibility.
¾ The INEC political party deparment should be strengthened including professional
training for staff.
¾ There should be much greater attention to ways of growing party membership,
programme vision, and internal party democracy in Nigeria
¾ INEC should collaborate with CSO, and former INEC non-partisan staff in monitoring
political party elections, congresses and conventions, particularly, their primaries.
¾ Capacity building programmes should be organized for political parties, including the full
time staff who run the day to day operations of the parties. Also, elected officials of
political parties should undertake induction sessions organised by them as well as by
INEC.
¾ If the trend of party violation of electoral guidelines and ideals of electoral conduct
persists, there would be a need to set up a political party monitoring agency.
¾ The powers of the Electoral Commission should be strengthened and exercised to allow it
to decide on, and provide verdicts, on party candidacy and leadership as stipulated in the
Electoral Act 2022.
¾ On the imperative of strengthening INEC’s impartiality in monitoring political parties,
efforts should be exerted at depoliticising the appointment of members of the
Commission, including the Chairperson and National Commissioners, and Resident
Electoral Commissioners (RECs). In the same vein, continuous investments should be
made in engancing the professionalism of the staff of INEC at all levels.
¾ There will be much benefits in revisiting the Uwaise report in order, inter alia, to rid
INEC of the extra baggage so that it does not become overburdened
Various outputs from the technical meeting will shortly be released on The Electoral Forum’s
webpage: https://electoralhub.org/electoralforum. Stakeholders in the electoral process are urged
to join the Forum in the advocacy for better electoral governance in Nigeria.
Signed
Professor Adebayo Olukoshi, Chairman of The Electoral Forum
Secretariat phone: +234 9121551331 and +234 9086998850
Secretariat email: electoralforum@gmail.com and electoralhub@gmail.com
Forum Facebook: @electoralforum
Forum Instagram: @theelectoralforum
Forum page: https://electoralhub.org/electoralforum
Political parties and the quality of elections
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Soldiers Sent After Me Are My Boys, Says Bandit Kingpin Kachalla
Soldiers Sent After Me Are My Boys, Says Bandit Kingpin Kachalla
A notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Maha, has made a series of startling claims, alleging that soldiers deployed to raid his camps are secretly working for him and boasting that he has the capacity to abduct state governors and other top government officials.
In a recorded audio message that surfaced on Sunday and was shared by verified X user Abdool Moh, the wanted terrorist claimed he enjoys access to sensitive security intelligence, insisting he is routinely tipped off about military operations before they are launched.
Maha alleged that the government’s refusal to release his arrested associates and seized cattle had hardened his resolve to intensify attacks across affected communities.
According to him, repeated appeals for the release of his men were ignored, leaving him with no intention of backing down.
“You arrested my men, and I asked for their release. You refused. I promised that I would abduct many people, and I already have targets.
“I asked why my men and Aminu were arrested. Since they were not released, I don’t care if they send thousands of soldiers. I am not tired, and I will not stop until I leave this world. I can kidnap top government officials, even a state governor.
“I swear to Almighty God that all the security forces sent to attack my camp are my boys. They inform me whenever they are coming. I receive information about security strategies, including those involving the President. It is only because I allow them to operate. Otherwise, they would not even be able to use the roads,” he claimed.
The authenticity of the audio and the allegations made by the bandit leader could not be independently verified, and security authorities had yet to respond to the claims as of the time of filing this report.
The audio surfaced amid renewed security concerns following recent attacks by armed groups in parts of northern Nigeria, including the abduction of students from Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Borno State.
The spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, had earlier confirmed that security operatives engaged the attackers, preventing what could have been a larger-scale abduction.
“Around 9 a.m., ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School. They shot sporadically. An unspecified number of students have been abducted,” Daso said.
The latest incident underscores the persistent insecurity in the North-East and North-West, where bandit and terrorist groups continue to launch deadly attacks despite sustained military operations.
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Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Operative Over Planned Attack on Military Bases in Borno
Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Operative Over Planned Attack on Military Bases in Borno
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) over an alleged plot to launch coordinated attacks on two military formations in Borno State, in what security sources described as a significant intelligence breakthrough in Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The suspect, identified as Muhammad Shuaibu, was apprehended by troops of the 212 Battalion at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Chabbol following intelligence reports indicating that terrorists were planning an imminent assault on military installations in the area.
According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the arrest occurred during a routine perimeter patrol conducted about 500 metres from the anti-vehicle ditch protecting the military base.
Military sources quoted in the report said the operation followed credible human intelligence that suspected ISWAP fighters were preparing coordinated attacks on key military positions within southern Borno State.
The sources disclosed that troops had heightened surveillance around strategic locations after receiving intelligence of the planned operation, leading to the suspect’s arrest before the alleged attack could be carried out.
Preliminary investigations reportedly linked Shuaibu to a planned assault on the 199 Special Forces Battalion, popularly known as Mosquito Camp, as well as the Forward Operating Base, Chabbol.
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Security sources alleged that the suspect was conducting reconnaissance around the military facility when he was intercepted by soldiers on patrol.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted that an attack had been planned and claimed that members of the terrorist group intended to continue with the operation despite his arrest.
However, these claims have not been independently verified, and the Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement confirming details of the interrogation or the alleged confession.
Following the arrest, troops reportedly reinforced security around the targeted military formations by increasing patrols, strengthening defensive positions and placing personnel on heightened operational alert.
The suspect has since been handed over to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade for further investigation aimed at identifying possible collaborators, uncovering the wider network behind the alleged plot and preventing any future attacks.
The arrest comes as Operation Hadin Kai continues to intensify intelligence-driven operations against ISWAP and Boko Haram insurgents across Nigeria’s North-East.
In recent months, the military has sustained offensive operations targeting terrorist enclaves, logistics routes and supply chains, while also recording the arrest of suspected collaborators accused of providing intelligence and logistical support to insurgent groups.
Security experts say intelligence gathering and community collaboration have become increasingly important in disrupting planned attacks, as terrorist groups continue to rely on informants and reconnaissance missions to target military formations and civilian communities.
Military authorities have repeatedly urged residents across Borno State and neighbouring communities to report suspicious movements and unusual activities to security agencies, noting that timely intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in combating terrorism.
The latest arrest underscores the military’s continued efforts to prevent attacks before they occur and enhance the security of military personnel and civilians in conflict-affected areas of the North-East.
As of the time of filing this report, investigations into the suspect’s alleged role in the planned attacks were ongoing, while security around military formations in the area remained on high alert.
Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Operative Over Planned Attack on Military Bases in Borno
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Navy Leads Rescue as Building Collapse Traps Children, Others in Lagos
Navy Leads Rescue as Building Collapse Traps Children, Others in Lagos
Several people, including children, were pulled alive from the rubble of a collapsed building in Alakija, Lagos, on Monday after personnel of the Nigerian Navy joined an emergency rescue operation, with the survivors rushed to a naval hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Photographs released after the operation showed more than 10 rescued victims receiving medical attention at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo.
The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in a statement, saying naval personnel responded swiftly after receiving a distress call about the incident.
According to him, the rescue team immediately mobilised to the scene and worked alongside other emergency responders to search for and evacuate victims trapped beneath the debris.
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“Through their prompt response, professionalism and dedication, several victims were successfully rescued from the rubble and evacuated for urgent medical attention,” he said.
Folorunsho added that all rescued victims were taken to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, where they received emergency treatment and continued medical care.
He said the Nigerian Navy remained committed to ensuring that all those affected by the incident received the necessary medical support.
The statement also quoted the Chief of the Naval Staff as commending the courage, professionalism and dedication displayed by the naval rescue team and the medical personnel who attended to the victims.
He further appreciated the collaboration of other emergency response agencies and members of the public, noting that their collective efforts contributed significantly to the successful rescue operation.
The Navy extended its sympathy to families affected by the building collapse and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
It also reaffirmed its readiness to continue providing humanitarian assistance and support to civil authorities whenever required, in line with its constitutional responsibilities.
Navy Leads Rescue as Building Collapse Traps Children, Others in Lagos
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