Political scientists advocate FG funding of parties

Political scientists in Nigeria have called on the federal government to take over the funding of political parties in order to “forestall hijacking by moneybags” and strengthen democratic processes. They argued that government funding would make political parties more effective and accountable. Daily Trust reports that the funding of political parties has long been a […]

Political scientists in Nigeria have called on the federal government to take over the funding of political parties in order to “forestall hijacking by moneybags” and strengthen democratic processes.

They argued that government funding would make political parties more effective and accountable.

Daily Trust reports that the funding of political parties has long been a contentious issue in Nigeria, with increasing calls for reform.

Speaking during an interview with journalists in Ilorin, the President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Prof. Hassan Saliu, said that 70 percent of Nigeria’s political problems would be resolved if parties were adequately funded to perform their roles optimally.

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Describing political parties as the “engine room of democracy,” Saliu warned that the dysfunction of political parties inevitably undermines democratic governance.

“In the context of Nigeria, no one can secure a political position without belonging to a political party. This means we cannot afford to ignore developments within the parties,” he said.

“Because we elect the government through political parties, Nigerians must pay close attention to the health of these institutions, as their unhealthy state is having a detrimental effect on democracy.”

Saliu noted that the concept of government funding political parties is not new, adding that several countries around the world already adopt this model.

There are countries where political parties are publicly funded. What is needed is to allocate the resources and establish an effective monitoring mechanism. If a party misbehaves, it can then be disciplined accordingly,” he explained.

He observed that party leaders in Nigeria often function as “officers on posting” who, lacking access to state resources, are easily influenced by external financiers.

“Political parties are supposed to be public institutions. But are they really so in Nigeria? No. That’s why some of us in the NPSA believe that one way to address the dysfunction is for the government to fund political parties directly.”

Saliu also cited the difficulty the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces in auditing political party accounts, attributing it to the current system where parties rely on private funding.

“If you don’t fund them, they will seek funding elsewhere. Moneybags then hijack the parties, installing their personal assistants as secretaries and chairmen,” he concluded.