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| L-R: Adebowale Olorunmola, Country Director of Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) Nigeria; Bukola Idowu, Executive Director, Kimpact Development Initiative and Bar Ebere Ifendu, a gender and inclusion advocate |
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a groundbreaking effort to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI) was officially launched today in Abuja.
The PPPI is a pioneering initiative designed to assess the inclusivity, accountability, and transparency of Nigeria’s political parties, offering a roadmap for improvement and fostering trust in the nation’s democratic processes.
The event featured prominent speakers who provided deep insights into the rationale, methodology, and expected impact of the index. The panel included Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, Country Director of Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) Nigeria; Mr. Bukola Idowu, Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative; and Barr. Ebere Ifendu, a renowned gender and inclusion advocate.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Olorunmola highlighted the evolution of political parties in Nigeria, tracing their journey from pre-independence regional alliances to today’s national parties. Despite their critical role in governance, political parties have faced persistent challenges, including weak internal democracy, exclusion of marginalized groups, financial opacity, and limited public engagement.
“These systemic challenges hinder the ability of political parties to act as effective vehicles for democracy and governance,” Mr. Olorunmola stated. “The PPPI seeks to address these issues by offering a structured framework for improvement.”
Mr. Idowu introduced the PPPI as a data-driven tool aimed at measuring political parties’ adherence to democratic principles. Built on three core pillars—Inclusivity Practices, Legal Compliance, and Public Outreach—the index evaluates parties based on their representation of marginalized groups, compliance with laws and regulations, and efforts to engage citizens.
“The PPPI is not just a scorecard; it is a guide for reform,” said Mr. Idowu. “It draws inspiration from global benchmarks like the UN Human Development Index and Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index but is uniquely tailored to Nigeria’s political context.”
Barr. Ifendu detailed the methodology behind the PPPI, which combines desk research, data collection from party officials, and validation through INEC records. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity, noting that the index will assess how well parties promote participation by women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The PPPI pilot will evaluate 19 registered political parties at national and state levels, assigning scores across the three pillars. The findings will be presented in individual reports for each party and a public report showcasing overall trends and rankings.
The PPPI aims to empower citizens with the information needed to hold political parties accountable while providing actionable insights for parties to improve their operations. “This initiative is about fostering a political culture where accountability and inclusion are not optional but essential,” Barr. Ifendu stated.
The index is expected to serve as a valuable resource for advocacy groups, civil society organizations, and regulators like INEC, paving the way for a more transparent and inclusive political landscape in Nigeria.
In closing, the panelists called on all stakeholders—including political parties, citizens, and civil society—to embrace the PPPI as a transformative tool for democracy. “Together, we can build a Nigeria where political parties truly represent and serve the interests of the people,” Mr. Olorunmola concluded.
The launch of the PPPI marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, setting the stage for a future where transparency, inclusivity, and accountability define the nation’s political system.
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