Political analyst and governance advocate Otunba Segun Showunmi has called for urgent political reforms to strengthen democracy in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for opposition parties to move beyond mere electioneering.
Speaking at the south east town hall meeting held at Oakland Hotel, Enugu, on Thursday, Showunmi decried the lack of political engagement beyond election cycles and criticized opposition parties for failing to build strong democratic institutions.
Showunmi questioned whether the proliferation of political parties could address fundamental electoral challenges, highlighting issues such as voter apathy, vote-buying, and the absence of electoral integrity.
He noted that despite having 18 registered parties, voter turnout remains alarmingly low, with millions of eligible voters abstaining from elections.
“Even if we register a new political party, how does that stop vote-buying and electoral fraud? The real issue is ensuring integrity in the process—from INEC to the electorate themselves,” he stated.
Drawing comparisons with Turkey, he argued that democracy has the potential to drive national progress but lamented Nigeria’s lack of significant advancement despite decades of democratic rule.
He urged professionals, lecturers, and community leaders to participate actively in politics rather than leaving governance in the hands of those with little interest in national development.
He also warned against tribal divisions, stressing the need for national unity.
“We must see ourselves as one. Whatever we cannot resolve today, we must remain hopeful that we can resolve it tomorrow,”he added.
Calling on the media and civil society organizations to promote political awareness, he urged Nigerians to focus on building a stronger democracy rather than dwelling on negativity.
Other political stakeholders at the event echoed his concerns, stressing the need for deep electoral reforms.
Prince Isaac Nwoye, former PDP chairman of Udi Local Government Area, stated that opposition parties must prioritize institution-building over mere criticism of the government.
Apostle Chaplain Newman Chukwuajah, Deputy State Chairman of the Action Peoples Party (APP), emphasized that without electoral reforms, the formation of new political parties would be meaningless.
“We must address the root causes of electoral malpractice. Until we fix these issues, forming new political parties will not change anything,”he said.
Dr. Zara Onyinye stressed the need for a new approach to leadership selection, urging Nigerians to rethink their civic responsibility.
“As we seek alternatives in leadership, we must also reflect on how we approach governance,”she noted.
Discussions at the event focused on strengthening political institutions and enhancing citizen engagement in governance.
