Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi has called for far-reaching amendments to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to strengthen political parties and safeguard the country’s democratic process from the destabilizing effects of cross-carpeting and personality-driven politics.
The proposal, titled “Strengthening Political Parties as Pillars of Democracy: Principles for Nigeria’s Democratic Development”, seeks to alter Sections 65(2)(b), 106(d), 131(c), and 177(c) of the Constitution to require that candidates for legislative and executive offices must have been members of their political party for at least four years before an election except in cases where the party becomes defunct or is newly formed.
Under the proposed amendment, an elected official who defects from their sponsoring party would automatically forfeit their seat, triggering a by-election.
Such defectors would also be barred from contesting under another political party for a full electoral cycle of four years.
Showunmi explained that the reforms are aimed at institutionalizing party supremacy, promoting ideological consistency, and reducing political instability.
Read Details Of The Proposal Below:
Strengthening Political Parties as Pillars of Democracy Principles for Nigeria’s Democratic Development.
By: The Alternative
Preamble
Robust and institutionalized political parties, rather than individual leaders, constitute the cornerstone of a stable democracy. This policy advocates for amendments to Nigeria’s electoral and party governance framework to fortify political parties, deter opportunistic defections, and deepen ideological accountability.
While the Constitution and pertinent legislative frameworks serve as the foundational legal documents governing the nation, ensuring justice, equity, accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights for all citizens, societal advancement nonetheless implies evolving democratic values and emerging challenges that necessitate periodic reviews and reforms of constitutional provisions to ensure their sustained relevance, efficacy, and responsiveness to the collective good of the populace.
It thus necessitates extensive consultations, deliberations, and incisive analyses to identify areas critically in need of refinement to enhance governance, maximize accountability, safeguard civil liberties, and promote inclusive development.
The proposed policy seeks to address gaps, ambiguities, and antiquated provisions while reinforcing democratic principles, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.
Moreover, these proposed policies are propelled by the collective will of the populace, as articulated through public discourse, stakeholder engagements, and legislative scrutiny, ensuring that the proposed reforms align with the aspirations of a modern and progressive society.
Now, therefore, in acknowledgment of the necessity to adapt our legal framework to contemporary realities while preserving the core values enshrined in the Constitution, the following amendments are hereby proposed for consideration and enactment:
1. Amendment to Section 65(2)(b)
Substitute the existing paragraph (b) with a new paragraph (b) to read:
“(b) He is a member of a political party for the last four years and is sponsored by that party, except where a party is defunct and he joins another or where the party is newly formed”
2. Amendment to Section 106(d)
Substitute the existing paragraph (d) with a new paragraph (d) to read:
“(d) He is a member of a political party for the last four years and is sponsored by that party, except where a party is defunct and he joins another or where the party is newly formed”
3. Amendment to Section 131(c)
Substitute the existing paragraph (c) with a new paragraph (c) to read:
“(c) He is a member of a political party for the last four years and is sponsored by that party, except where a party is defunct and he joins another or where the party is newly formed”
4. Amendment to Section 177(c)
Substitute the existing paragraph (c) with a new paragraph (c) to read:
“(c) He is a member of a political party for the last four years and is sponsored by that party, except where a party is defunct and he joins another or where the party is newly formed”
The overarching proposed amendments to Sections 65(2)(b), 106(d), 131(c), and 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution are meticulously designed to ensure that candidates vying for legislative and executive offices are rigorously vetted by their political parties in alignment with a system where parties, not “strongmen,”drive national development.
This will ensure the:
• Fortification of fundamental rights, broadening protections against discrimination and fostering greater participation in an increasingly evolving democracy.
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Enhancement of Institutional Accountability, reshaping judicial, electoral, and oversight mechanisms to reinforce transparency and public trust in governance.
• Amplification of local governance structures to encourage equitable resource distribution and participatory decision-making.
• Promotion of economic and social justice, incorporating provisions that guarantee equitable access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
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Recognition of the right to a clean and sustainable environment as a constitutional imperative.
These proposed amendments are presented with a solemn commitment to uphold the sovereignty of the people, the integrity of the nation, and the enduring principles of democracy, justice, and progress for generations to come.
Let this endeavor reflect the collective resolve to construct a more just, inclusive, and resilient society under the rule of law.
Objectives:
• Institutionalize Party Supremacy;
Replace personality-driven politics with party-based governance, ensuring candidates are accountable to their parties’ ideologies and manifestos.
• Eradicate Cross-Carpeting;
Mandate a four-year party membership and sponsorship requirement for eligibility, thereby discouraging defections for personal gain.
• Promote Internal Democracy;
Strengthen party structures to ensure transparent candidate selection and ideological coherence.
• Enhance Electoral Credibility;
Diminish electoral volatility by ensuring candidates have long-term commitments to their parties.
Key Policy Provisions –
Amendments to Eligibility Criteria:
Sections 65(2)(b), 106(d), 131(c), 177(c): Candidates running for elective public offices must:
• Be registered members of their political party for a minimum of four years preceding the election.
• Be officially sponsored by their party, subject to internal democratic processes.
This justifies the prevention of political tourists and ensures candidates are ideologically driven and aligned with their respective parties.
Anti-Defection Measures:
• Automatic Vacancy; Any elected official who defects from their sponsoring party shall forfeit their seat, thereby triggering a by-election to fill the vacancy.
• Moratorium on Re-Election; Defectors shall be barred from contesting under another party for a minimum of one electoral cycle (four years).
Party Institutionalization Framework:
Political parties must mandatorily personalize their constitutions with explicit ideological principles and provisions.
All parties must adopt constitutions delineating their ideological pillars.
Candidate nomination processes, which include consensus, direct, or indirect primaries, should be entirely transparent and devoid of imposition.
Funding Accountability: Parties must disclose sources of funding and undergo annual audits to mitigate godfatherism.
Civic Education and Enforcement:
INEC Oversight; The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shall:
• Verify party membership duration via centralized biometric registers.
• Enforce penalties for non-compliance (disqualification).
Public Awareness: Launch nationwide campaigns to educate voters on party ideologies over personality hijacking.
Expected Outcomes:
• Stable Party Systems; This policy will significantly reduce factionalism and promote coherent policy implementation.
• Accountability; Elected officials will remain answerable to party manifestos rather than personal, self-serving interests.
• Reduced Electoral Violence; Fewer defections will minimize post-election litigation, curb unnecessary violence, and increase stability in the political landscape.
• Ideological Clarity; Voters will find it easier to align with parties based on policies rather than patronage.
Safeguards and Review:
Sunset Clause; A 12-year review to assess policy impact on democracy.
Conclusion:
The emphasis on party institutionalization will facilitate Nigeria’s transition from a “strongman”democracy to one anchored in robust, ideologically rooted parties. These policy frameworks will effectively curb the destabilizing effects of cross-carpeting, foster policy continuity, and align Nigeria with global best practices in party-driven democracies.
This policy document aspires to create an enduring legacy as it balances legal precision with strategic vision, ensuring Nigeria’s democracy is resilient against the whims of individuals and firmly rooted in enduring institutional structures.
Otunba Segun Showunmi
Convener The Alternative.
