Opposition parties’ perception of politics needs to change —NIPSS DG

THE acting Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Mr Jonathan Juma, has said opposition parties in the country need to change their perception of politics and the roles of opposition parties to advance democracy.

Juma stated this at two-day capacity-building workshop for members of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at states and national levels, organised by the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre (PPLPLC) of the institute.

He said it was in recognition of the shortcomings that PPLPDC was established in 2013 with the objective to strengthen the leadership and organisational capacities of political parties as institutional foundation of Nigeria democracy.

He added that the centre was also established to also ensure that the parties are policy- oriented, responsive, inclusive and more accountable to their members and the country.

He said the objective was informed by the recognition of the centrality of political parties as the institutional foundation of representative democracy in Nigeria.

Juma further stressed that the centre participated in the electoral process leading to the 2015 general election in observation status and subsequently followed up that role with a post-2015 election conference.

In his opening remarks, the national chairman of IPAC Honourable Lawal Nalado, said the organisation was working in close collaboration with INEC, NIPSS, EU, UNDP, IRI and other local and international bodies to carry out its mandate.

Nalado, who is the national chairman of Accord, said the workshop would provide the needed milestones to deepen, strengthen and sharpen the knowledge and capacity of party leaders.