Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, has described what he observed as the poor state of internal democracy in the Nigerian political parties as a misfit for true democratic process in the 21st Century.
Explaining more in a chat with Business Hilights Abuja Bureau chief at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, he noted that trending outcries over the shoddy conduct of primaries for elective positions by the major political parties in the country in recent primaries ahead of 2019 elections, he noted that time has come for parties to leverage in modern technologies in sanitizing the system.
His advice came on the backdrop of the advantages so far recorded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from systemization of its platforms by his company, Zinox technologies which have given more credibility in the database of eligible voters thereby reducing litigations in successive elections.
Business Hilights recalls that a number of candidates had expressed their grievances over the manner in which the eventual winners and representatives for various positions were hand-picked or selected by party big-wigs and godfathers, thereby making a ruse of the process which had seen intending candidates purchase forms at often exorbitant costs.
However, in his views, he averred that “Party politics in Nigeria leaves a lot to be desired and the current state is a misfit for true and responsible democracy in the 21st Century. There is a glaring lack of internal democracy among all of the major political parties in the country. As a result, many people are left disgruntled and disenchanted with the process which is anything but transparent.
“The 21st Century requires a more transparent and democratic approach to the process of choosing our elected representatives and technology can play a huge role here, provided we have the mindset and the political will to allow it. Technology does not lie,” he intoned.
Continuing, he noted that “It makes no sense to encourage prospective candidates to purchase Nomination/Expression of Interest forms at prohibitive costs only to turn around and deny them a chance to test their popularity by foisting hand-picked choices on the electorate,” he stated.
While calling for a change of approach and dedication to stronger internal democracy among the parties, Ekeh noted that the status quo, if left unchecked, will continue to deny and discourage eminently qualified candidates from seeking political office.
