.jpeg "Prof. Suleiman, DG NILDS, explains why young people should get involved in politics.")
The reprimand was delivered by Professor Abubakar during a three-day high-level parliamentary seminar hosted by the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States in Winneba, Ghana.
The central focus of the conference revolved around the topic of "Challenges pertaining to Unconstitutional Regime Change and Presidential Term Limits in West Africa, with a specific emphasis on the role played by the ECOWAS Parliament."
In the professor's presentation entitled "Enhancing the Role of Political Parties in the Democratic Consolidation of the West African Sub-region," he emphasized the necessity of bolstering the functions of political parties due to the increasing challenge of discerning and distinguishing opposition parties from the ruling party.
Professor Suleiman advocated for the endorsement of internal democratic processes inside political parties, while simultaneously downplaying the impact of wealthy individuals exerting control over these parties.
According to his statement, the presence of internal democracy has been a matter of concern, with a significant portion of election-related litigation being attributed to pre-election issues. How can internal democracy be effectively maintained within a political party to prevent any individual or faction from undermining the political framework and exerting undue control over the entire organization?
Opposition parties in Africa or West Africa are subjected to consistent criticism and disparagement. The opposition party is so elusive that it becomes challenging to discern it from the ruling party.
In numerous African nations, there exists a prevailing notion among the people that political parties lack differentiation, hence engendering a sense of homogeneity. It is imperative for the citizenry to possess the capacity to discern and discernibly differentiate between these competing political entities.There is a discernible decline in the level of interest, emotional investment, and affinity exhibited by electorates towards the overall political process. There exists a prevailing belief among individuals that all political parties are indistinguishable, leading to a widespread sense of disinterest.
The promotion of party reforms at regular intervals is essential to facilitate inclusivity and necessitates periodic restructuring of party frameworks. I am of the opinion that this approach serves as a potential solution for ensuring that political parties effectively fulfill their responsibilities in the advancement and strengthening of democracy in the West African region.
He additionally advocated for an examination of the obstacles encountered by political parties and democracy in the sub-region and the continent as a whole.
According to the individual's perspective, the failure to address these aforementioned issues may potentially create conditions conducive to the occurrence of military coups.
Indeed, political parties in Africa are confronted with a multitude of issues that pose significant threats to the democratic process. If the aforementioned difficulties remain unattended to, it is important to recognize that despite our perception of being in control as the ruling party, our authority is undermined by the jubilation of the people whenever the military intervenes.
This observation suggests that there exists a fundamental issue with the politicians in question. As the governing party, we possess the necessary capabilities to exercise unrestricted authority in our actions."It is imperative to examine the many issues. There exists a sense of skepticism among the general populace towards political parties due to the observed behaviors of politicians, instances of political process abuse, election manipulation, and the complete co-optation of the process by political actors.
Moreover, a notable deficiency in internal democratic processes, along with the underperformance of West African economies under democratic governance, has been observed. Additionally, there is a growing prevalence of insecurity within the region. These factors pose significant challenges to the establishment of political parties and the maintenance of democratic systems throughout Africa.
According to Professor Suleiman, the key solution to rectifying our democracy lies in the thorough examination of these issues by our politicians. It is imperative that we undertake a genuine reform of our political parties, ensuring that they fulfill their intended purpose in accordance with the principles established by the founders of political parties in a democratic system.
Mr. Emmanuel Abdulai, a Human Rights Lawyer hailing from Sierra Leone, claimed that the promotion of democratic consolidation necessitated the establishment of collaborative endeavors involving diverse stakeholders.
Abdulai asserts that West Africa has experienced advancements in the realm of democracy; nonetheless, it has encountered formidable obstacles such as corruption and election malpractice.
Political parties, in their capacity as formal organizations, aim to acquire political power through electoral processes and active involvement in governance. They fulfill multiple roles, which encompass representation, mobilization, policy formulation, offering voter alternatives, participation in governance, and scrutiny of legislative actions.
According to his statement, parties fulfill the role of agents for the government by contributing to political stability, facilitating effective governance, and fostering social cohesion, among other functions.Political parties in West Africa encounter various obstacles, including the presence of feeble institutions, restricted internal democratic processes, and inadequate allocation of resources.
Abdulai emphasized the need for addressing challenges by implementing several measures. Firstly, political parties should prioritize transparency by promoting disclosure practices within their organizations.
Additionally, it is crucial to establish and enforce rules and regulations to govern party operations. Furthermore, reforming and regulating campaign financing, both at the national and intra-party levels, is essential.
Moreover, electoral reforms should be implemented at the national level to enhance transparency in electoral processes. Lastly, it is imperative to strengthen oversight mechanisms and introduce public funding for political parties based on their respective strengths.
It is of utmost significance to acquire knowledge from these establishments and to enhance the legal and regulatory structure that guarantees transparency and responsibility in order to facilitate impartial and equitable elections. Additionally, it is imperative to encourage political parties to partake in constructive dialogue, consensus-building, and negotiations. This can be achieved by promoting engagement and collaboration with civil society organizations, as well as fostering a culture of inclusive public participation and accountability in the process of decision-making.
There exist certain obstacles that detrimentally impact the efficacy of political parties, thereby posing a threat to the sustainability of democracy within the region. Political parties encounter a range of obstacles, including the need for a robust legislative framework within their respective regions, insufficient implementation of existing legal laws, and restricted internal democratic practices within the parties themselves.
The expansion of political parties and democracy within the region is being undermined by a range of causes, including funding constraints, ethnic and regional issues, organisational and capability challenges, and weak grassroots engagements.
In a presentation titled "Ensuring the demilitarisation of political power and the subordination of the military to legal civilian rule," Benedict Sannoh, a former Attorney General at the Ministry of Justice in Liberia, expressed that unless the underlying causes of governmental failure are addressed through unconventional means, military coups will continue to be a viable option for restless youth in the sub-region of Africa.
The sub-region is undergoing transformation, characterized by shifts in population dynamics and the quality of its inhabitants. A significant portion of the population consists of young and ambitious individuals who are increasingly engaging in extensive travel both within and beyond the sub-region.
These individuals have witnessed advancements in other nations, particularly those that have effectively utilized their natural resources. As a result, they aspire for change within their own sub-region. A significant portion of the youth population is experiencing restlessness due to unemployment and lack of skills.
Consequently, it is crucial for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and all stakeholders to recognize this situation and actively contribute to enabling a transformative shift. Failure to do so may result in a forced transition that may not align with democratic principles. The utilization of military intervention has thus far retained its appeal as a means of effecting change.
ECOWAS should refrain from harboring the misconception that sanctions and intervention options alone can effectively counteract this undemocratic trend.
The potential for military coups and the establishment of military dictatorship persists as a plausible course of action for individuals who are dissatisfied and eager for change, unless we address the fundamental factors contributing to the shortcomings within our governmental system by deviating from conventional approaches.