Nigerian politicians complete democracy training ahead of 2015 elections

Konye Obaji Ori* 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 theafricareport]]>