Former Nigerian Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has yesterday said Soldiers cannot return to power because military rule is outdated. He revealed this is because in the last 25 years, democratic rule has survived the onslaught of reactionary forces. Gen. Abdulsalami was speaking during the launch of a book titled: “100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria, 1923 – 2023’’ by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja.
The former General applauded himself for laying a solid foundation by handing over power to civilian authorities.
He called on Nigerians and the political parties to nurture the tree of democracy, the former military leader said: “There is no alternative to civil rule.’’
Abdulsalami who was represented by Gen. Abdulrasheed Aliyu, spoke on “100 years of political parties evolution in Nigeria – The imperative of Nigeria’s political stability: issues and solutions.”
Buttressing the military leader’s position, the House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, said strong political parties and opposition were vital for good governance.
In his contribution, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has called on political parties to promote internal democracy.
Gen. Abdulsalami said the fact that democracy has survived in the country for 25 years is a clear testimony to Nigerians’ resilience and belief in representative governance.
He said: “Despite military interventions, democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
Delivering his speech, the former leader said, “There is no substitute to the government of the people, by the people and for the people, which democracy represents as sovereignty resides with the people.
“This year will also make it 26 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria, the longest period of constitutional governance since 1st October 1960, when the country got Independence from the British colonial masters.
He continued, “I am happy that my government, as the then military Head of State, ushered in this era of democracy when I handed over power to the elected President on 29th May 1999.
“My government laid this solid foundation for democratic governance.
“It also shows that when leaders are patriotic, passionate, resolute and unwavering in building strong democratic structures and institutions, democracy could flourish and yield its dividends to citizens.”
Gen. Abdulsalami added: “We should, therefore, keep watering and nurturing the tree of democracy as there is no alternative to civil rule.
“Our democracy has been tested and shaken by reactionary forces and survived.
“It is a testament to citizen’s belief and resilience in representative governance.
The House of Reps Speaker Abbas in his remarks said Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999 marked a new beginning for the nation after over 30 years of military rule.
He enjoined politicians to stop weaponising ethnicity for political and personal gains.
Abbas, represented by House Majority Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, decried the hijack of parties by people with deep pockets.
In his opinion, Ihonvbere believes members should be made to pay dues and to own the party.
Abbas explained: “Our parties today, to even give you a membership card, they turn it into trying to get a loan from the Nigerian bank. We need to review it.
“Political parties must serve as platforms for ideation, policy innovation, and citizen engagement, rather than tools for personal aggrandisement or factional dominance.
“The vibrancy of a democracy is measured not just by the strength of its ruling party, but also by the ability of its opposition to provide constructive criticism and alternative pathways for governance.
He reiterated that “Internal democracy within the political parties must play a role in ensuring the emergence of political representations.
“It is by so doing that we will eliminate imposition and godfatherism that have over the years characterised our political management.
“To consolidate our democracy is a duty of all democrats in Nigeria and we must take the bull by the horns. The time is now.”
Meanwhile, Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim recalled that besides the still-born constitutional conferences of 2006 and 2014, no other concerted effort has been made in a decade to resolve the ever-lingering instability in the polity.
He linked the national instability to insecurity, economic regression and the heavy burden of maladministration that is bedevilling the government.
Ayim added: “In any heterogenous or plural country of similar complexities as Nigeria, the need for national dialogue and minimum consensus on the terms of the union cannot be ignored or over-emphasised.
“It behoves this generation of leaders and elite to establish that dialogue, and reach that consensus that Nigeria sorely needs to rid herself and her component parts of the mutual suspicions, distrust and antagonisms that have retarded her growth into the stable nation and contending global power she has every potential to be.”
The Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, in his comment described the book as a beacon of knowledge and insight, highlighting the struggles and progress that had defined Nigeria’s political journey.
He said the document also served as a testament to the rich history, evolution and resilience of political parties in Nigeria.
Dantalle added: “It is a reflection of the trials and triumphs, the challenges and achievements that have shaped our political landscape over the past century.”
INEC: parties should promote internal democracy
In his remarks, Prof. Yakubu described internal democracy as the foundation upon which a credible general election is built.
Yakubu, who was represented by the National Comissioner in charge of political parties and election monitoring, Sam Olumekun, said effective leadership recruitment is possible only when eligible persons with capacity are selected through duly conducted party primaries to run for elections.
He said when political parties uphold democratic principles in their internal “To this end, the Commission is already in consultation with the National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters to organise a retreat where areas requiring urgent reforms will be deliberated upon.
“We recognise that electoral reforms are not the sole responsibility of INEC or the National Assembly.
“Political parties, civil society
