IRI charges political parties to strengthen relationship with legislative caucuses

International Republican Institute (IRI) has stressed that improving communication between political parties and their legislative caucus will no doubt ensure the advancement of democracy.

Resident Program Director of IRI, Mrs Angela Wambugu who spoke when the Institute hosted officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bauchi State Chapter and its legislative caucus on a one-day meeting as part of efforts to enhance Party/legislative communication said that there was the need for strengthening effective channel of communication between the two.

She noted that engaging with citizens to learn about their concerns and priorities will help elected leaders represent public interest in decision making thereby increasing awareness in governance.

The IRI Director further stressed the need for political parties to have a person responsible for liaising with its legislative caucus which she opines is beneficial to the citizens.

According to her, the Institute is working with political parties and elected officials on effective service delivery and good governance to enable them to meet the basic needs of the citizens.

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Angela Wambugu then appealed to PDP in the state to fulfill some of its campaign promises to strengthen mass literacy program, improving partnership with donor agencies and ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of resources.

In his remarks, the State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam, pledged the readiness of the party and its legislative caucus so as to deliver as expected by the people of Bauchi State who massively voted for the PDP during the last general elections.

On the challenges raised during the meeting, Koshe Akuyam called for collective efforts towards addressing the challenges because according to him, governance is a collective effort.

Some of those who attended the meeting were the State PDP Chairman, Hamza Koshe Akuyam, members of the Working Committee of the PDP, as well as Babayo Mohammed, Sabo Bako Sade, Musa Wakili Nakwada and Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo members representing some constituencies in the Bauchi State House of Assembly as contained in a statement by Nazip Abba Pali Media Officer, IRI Bauchi state office.