——- Says most parties are built around individuals rather than enduring ideologies, structures, or policies that can drive sustainable governance.

Renowned scholar and Professor of Government and Public Administration, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Jude Udenta, made this known while speaking on the topic “Continuous Voters Registration and the 2027 Elections: Issues, Challenges and Prospects,” on the programme, Beyond the Headlines on Freedom Square TV, anchored by Uchenna Cyril Anioke.

Prof. Udenta lamented the weakness of Nigeria’s political system, stating that the country lacks any truly robust political party.

In his words, “ in the 2nd Republic, there was robust political participation and mobilization, people allow other parties to work . If you leave your party, you leave your office. Nobody wanted it to be discussed that you are leaving your party , it was not discussed at all. People vote for the party and not individual, so immediately you leave the party , you leave your office because the party owns the office. But today, we are still voting for the party but we have no rule of law, things are not working .

Continuing, we know we have only one party , the other one which is Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC) is not even allowed to hold meetings. Under normal circumstances,it is the work of the party to ensure political mobilization.”

He emphasized that the absence of strong and institutionalized political parties has continued to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, as political organizations fail to provide clear direction, internal democracy, or long-term vision for the nation.

He therefore called for urgent reforms to strengthen party systems, stressing that a vibrant democracy depends on credible, people-driven parties that can compete on ideas and performance rather than personality cults.