By: Joe Ephraim, Calabar
A cleric, Gospel Emah Isong, President and Founder of Christian Central Chapel, has called for a comprehensive reform of internal party politics in Nigeria, warning that the monetisation of party structures continues to undermine credible leadership in the country.
Isong made the call on Saturday in Calabar during a birthday colloquium held in honour of former Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Calabar, Archbishop Tunde Adeleye, and his wife, Dorothy Tunde Adeleye.
The event, which featured a public lecture and panel discussions, took place at the Hogis Royale Banquet Hall on Bishop Moynagh Avenue in the State Housing Estate area of Calabar, Cross River State.
Delivering a lecture on the theme, “Governance and the Rule of Law: The Acid Test for the Nigerian Politician,” Isong said the major challenge confronting Nigeria’s electoral system lies not in the conduct of general elections but in the internal processes of political parties.
According to him, these processes are often compromised by financial influence and manipulation long before elections are conducted.
“The main problem with Nigeria’s electoral process is not necessarily the general elections themselves, but the internal processes within political parties,” he said.
“Most times, even two years before the general election, people already know who will emerge because the internal party processes have been compromised.”
He stressed the need for transparent party primaries that would allow credible candidates who enjoy the support of their communities to emerge.
“If we can deal with the current tradition of monetised party politics, Nigeria’s political system will be sanitised,” he added.
The cleric, however, expressed optimism about the country’s democratic future, noting that Nigeria already has legal frameworks capable of strengthening democratic governance, but lamented that weak enforcement and existing loopholes often undermine their effectiveness.
“Yes, we have laws, but the real question is whether these laws are working for the benefit of the nation,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the first discussant, Prof. Paul Ajah, said the rule of law remains the critical factor distinguishing responsible leadership from authoritarian tendencies.
“The rule of law distinguishes a leader from a warlord,” he said, stressing that governance must be anchored on legal principles rather than personal authority.
Ajah further identified three major challenges confronting Nigeria’s political system, which he described as the “legacy of the big man mentality”, a “do-or-die approach to politics”, and a prevailing culture of impunity.
According to him, effective governance can only thrive when leaders respect court orders, uphold the independence of institutions, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to nation-building rather than merely occupying positions of power.
