Nigerian political leaders have completed another round of
training ahead of next year's national elections. United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) representatives collaborated with the National Institute for
Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to engage the Nigerian political
stakeholders on democratic systems, major political problems, and elections.
The course organised by the UNDP's democratic governance for
development project and the and the European Union, was held at the Political
Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre at the NIPSS in Jos, Plateau
State. The UNDP/DGD is in partnership with NIPSS to strengthen the leadership
and organisational capacities of political parties as institutional foundation
of Nigeria's democracy," UNDP/DGD Director Daouda Toure said.
"The task of the UNDP was to ensure that political
parties in Nigeria are policy-oriented, responsive, inclusive and more
accountable to their members and the society". The UNDP/DGD said it placed
emphasis on the mindset of politicians and their supporters ahead of the 2015
election, especially on defeat management and attitudes. We are working to
strengthen political parties, to develop policies, better organise and understand
their roles in governance. We help political parties learn how to develop policies
that impact positively on the people," NIPSS director, Tijani
Muhammed-Bande told reporters.
The workshop was attended by national officers, including
national youth leaders of the 26 registered political parties in the country. However,
the director, research and chief operative officer of the PPLDC, Olu Obafemi
criticised the near absence of groups like women, young people, and the
physically challenged. Political parties should implement measures such as
promoting internal democracy, diversifying their sources of funding and
encourage participation of vulnerable groups in all aspects of party
affairs," he said.
Source: The Africa Report
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