Democracy can't survive without strong political parties ?Sambo

By Taye Obateru & Hope Ofobike

Jos?Vice President, Namadi Sambo, yesterday, declared that democracy cannot survive without strong political parties.

He stated this at the commissioning of the Political Party Leadership and Development Centre of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, Kuru, Plateau State.

Represented by the Special Adviser, Political Matters in his office, Senator Isaiah Balat, Sambo said, although the tendency has been to pay more attention to governmental bodies and civic institutions, political parties actually oil the democratic wheel.

Sambo said: ?More concern is often shown to the establishment of governmental bodies and civic organisation, while little attention is paid to the development of strong political parties. Although both of the civil societies and other government bodies are important in every nation but without strong and dynamic political parties democracy cannot survive in the long run.?

?Political parties may decline overtime if they do not make conscious efforts to strengthen themselves. Leaders of the parties owe themselves the obligation to take advantage of opportunities offered by this centre for self-improvement.

?Leadership is developed through a never ending process of self study, education, training and experience to inspire us. As tomorrow?s leaders there are certain things we must be, know and do. These do not come naturally but are rather acquired through continuous work and training.?

He said, although politics, politicians and political parties are negatively viewed by the public, politics still remain a noble pursuit as it is about serving the public and improving the lives of citizens.

He restated the commitment of the Jonathan?s administration to the cause of free, fair and credible elections, adding that the establishment of the centre is an opportunity to raise the capacity of political parties to play their own role in achieving and sustaining the objective.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/democracy-cant-survive-without-strong-political-parties-sambo/

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