The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas has said political parties in Nigeria are suffering from poverty of ideology.
He disclosed this at a public lecture on the sixth edition of the annual Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) day, to mark its 72nd Anniversary (1950-2022), on Monday in Kano.
The lecture was organised by the Aminu Kano Center for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano, with the theme: “Party Politics and Electoral Violence in Nigeria.”
The VC was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Sani Mohammed Gumel.
“It is very apt and topical in view of the fact that most political parties today are bereft of ideologies and articulated programmes.
“Unlike NEPU, the present political parties are neither defined by ideologies, nor are they supreme in organisational terms.
“One of the key challenges of party politics in Nigeria is poverty of ideology.
“Currently, the only purpose of political parties appears to be the nomination of candidates for elections. Politicians join parties to secure party tickets by all means,” he said.
He said that NEPU was formed on Aug. 8,1950, with the objective of waging a determined war against colonialism and pursuing the entrenchment of democracy as a way of life.
Others, he said, were raising the level of consciousness of the poor (Talakawas), to recognise their worth and fight human dignity, freedom of speech, association, movement, assembly and action within the law.
“No doubt, the story of NEPU is another proof that there is a lot of inspiration that could be drawn from history in order to squarely face the political challenges of our present time and the future.
Another lecture was presented by the Director, Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training, Zaria, Prof. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed.
Mr Mohammed urged the government to intensify efforts in addressing security challenges before the 2023 general elections, to enable the citizens to exercise their civic rights.