As we all know, the right to multiparty system in Nigeria has a constitutional basis. Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for freedom of association “with other persons” and “any political party, trade union or any association.” This also finds support in African Charter of Peoples and Human Rights and the Protocols of ECOWAS. And lest we forget, it was the legal battle and, subsequently, the victory that Gani Fawehinmi fought and won for Nigerians in the Supreme Court.
Without doubt, Nigeria is not the only country with multiparty democracy. As we speak, there are 367 registered political parties in Great Britain and 46 in Northern Ireland. United States of America, interestingly, a country we are quick to mention when issues of this nature arise, also practises multiparty democracy. Apart from its two major and three minor political parties, there are also others appropriately classifed as active, inactive and regional. Ghana has twenty and there is every proof to show that South Africa and Benin Republic practise multiparty democracy. From the foregoing, one cannot but doubt the motive of the wonderboys of our own system, those who never struggled for, but are mere benefiaciaries of the people’s struggle.
Admitted! Some of these parties are formed for the sole purpose of collecting grants and related funds from the government. However, the idea that having so many parties is unwieldy does not hold water.
Again, Nigerians should not forget in a hurry that Ibrahim Babangida’s two party contraption on Nigerians was by military fiat. Needless to repeat here also that the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections, adjuged both locally and internationally, as the freest and fairest in the country, was also by military fiat. Why then do we have to trek a despicable path that has not in any way led the people to the Promised Land?
Yes! As things stand, there are more than 50 registered political parties in Nigeria. Nevertheless, all over the world, where dominant parties have emerged, it has been through the electorate, not by any fiat.
It is our considered view that the problem of Nigeria has nothing to do with political parties. Rather, it has got to do with having a credible system and credible umpires; where people will vote and their votes will count.
So, what we need is Electoral Reforms which the National assembly has so far treated with contempt. And let nobody close the democratic space because we fought for it!
‘Yinka Odumakin,
National Publicity Secretary,
Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG
