Akpabio: Lack of accountability making citizens not to trust political parties

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says impunity and lack of accountability have made citizens not to trust the political parties in the country.

NAN quoted Akpabio as saying this when he spoke at a presentation on the ‘Needs Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria’.

The event was organised by the Kukah Centre, with support from European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), in Abuja.

Represented by Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, the senate president said there is a need to reposition political parties for transparency and accountability.

The number three citizen said repositioning the parties would help restore public trust and confidence in them.

“Political parties have not only provided platforms for citizens to participate in the democratic process but have also played a vital role in shaping our nation’s policies and governance structures,” he said.

“However, it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge the issues that have marred our democratic culture.

“These issues have led to a decrease in public trust and confidence in political parties.

“It is disheartening to witness citizens disenchanted with the very institutions that should represent their interests and safeguard their democratic rights.”

Akpabio said political parties should ensure transparency by making their expenditures public.

On his part, Matthew Kukah, founder of the Kukah Centre, said the ‘Needs Assessment of Political Parties in Nigeria’ publication serves as a roadmap in addressing the issues that have taken away trust from parties.

“Political Parties are the platforms on which politicians are weaned, trained and deployed to serve the public good,” the bishop said.

“We want to dredge up some of the good, the bad and the very ugly phases of our national history so that we can have an idea of where we have come from.”

Kukah said it is only when that is done that politics could be made “noble”.