This assertion emerged from a communiqué by the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), South South Zone, at the conclusion of its 6th Annual Conference held from 9 to 12 March at the ASUU Secretariat at the University of Calabar.
The conference was centred around the theme, “Interrogating Politics, Governance and the Crisis of Development.”
The communiqué, signed by Dr Sunday Ibanga, Chairman, and Dr Benson Udom, Secretary of NPSA South South Zone, highlighted that developmental resources are often misused, leading to a crisis impacting socio-economic and political growth, as well as national and human security.
It emphasised the need for Political Science and its practitioners to establish greater relevance in Nigerian society by transitioning from theoretical discussions to practical tools for transformative change. The association encourages political scientists to actively participate in the political process to influence governance, aiming to improve the country’s trajectory.
The conference also noted that political parties and their dynamics pose significant challenges to democracy in Nigeria, indicating a lack of power separation within the country’s federalism.
The communiqué expressed concern over the absence of a proper institutional framework for community policing, urging the National Assembly to establish legal structures to facilitate its formal operation across Nigeria.
Regarding the misallocation of public funds, the communiqué stressed the importance of making political positions less financially enticing by revising existing laws. It called for the enhancement of current frameworks to promote accountability in leadership.
Additionally, the association highlighted the need for a review of laws governing political parties and the electoral management body to foster a system focused on service delivery in Nigeria.
Finally, they urged the National Assembly and other relevant agencies to revise and ensure the effective implementation of fiscal federalism in Nigeria.
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