National institute for policy and strategic studies NIPSS, Kuru in Jos North Central Nigeria in collaboration with United Nations Democratic Governance for Development Project (DGDII), has established a centre to strengthen the capacity of political parties in becoming key pillars of the country’s democratic polity.
The need to have people-oriented political parties with properly organised structure devoid of being hijacked by wealthy financial backers that will be well rooted in society with broad based electioneering; prompt the NIPSS and Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) to establish a centre with a comprehensive curriculum that sets the foundations for parties and provide strategic and techniques for how political parties can institutionalise themselves.
Commissioning the centre, the Special Assistant on Political Matters to the Vice President, Senator Isaiah Balat, observed that without strong and dynamic political parties, democracy cannot survive on the long run.
The Political Party Leadership and Policy Development Centre is to open avenue for political parties to be fully involved in policy, research, sustained learning experiences and opportunities for practical application for effective pro-democratic actors and make the country’s democratic institutions stronger.
The centre which is a model on the continent of Africa according to DGD Project Director, Mourtada Deme, is to put in place a comprehensive capacity development plan that identifies key areas for technical assistance to party support.
Leading the Nigeria Labour force at the occasion, NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, condemned the attitude of leaders that were not present at the event, describing it as misplaced priority.
Political parties and its officials are expected to seize the opportunity, the centre is offering in making political parties stronger as essential pillar of a vibrant, well established and resilient democracy by taking advantage of the facility available at the centre in deepening and making the country’s democratic dispensation a reality.
