Reps to investigate political parties

The House of Representatives has passed a motion mandating its Committee on Inter and Intra Party Relations to investigate the lack of internal democracy in political parties in Nigeria.

This resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Albert Sam-Tsokwa (PDP-Taraba), the chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, which was unanimously adopted.

Leading the debate, Sam-Tsokwa noted that the practice of democracy in the country lacked the required internal democracy in the various political parties.

He said that often times, political party leaders organised primaries in favour of their preferred candidates.

“The way and manner candidates are selected by our political parties for elective positions in some cases negates the principles of democracy,’’ he said.

According to him, if urgent steps are not taken to address the anomalies, the selection of candidates for elective offices will continue to be chaotic and crisis- ridden.

Friday Itulah (PDP-Edo) said that any democratic process usually begins at the party level.

Hassan El-Badawi (ANPP-Yobe) advised political parties to always ensure that there was internal democracy in their choice of candidates for elections.

Samson Osagie (ACN-Edo) , the Minority Whip, suggested that the matter should be addressed through constitutional and electoral amendments.

He said that most political parties often impose candidates on the people to satisfy  particular persons or groups to the detriment of other party members.

Jerry Manwe (PDP-Taraba), the chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, said that the House would ensure that INEC monitored all political party primaries.

Ayo Omidiran (ACN-Osun) who differed from other members said that the business of choosing candidates for an election was solely the responsibility of the party.

She said that as a House, they should only concern themselves with the issue of election rigging which had become a serious threat to the country’s democracy.