Dual Party Membership: Stakeholders Back Tougher Sanctions To Strengthen Democracy

Stakeholders have expressed support for stricter sanctions against dual party membership in Nigeria, describing the move as a necessary step towards strengthening democratic governance, party discipline, and political accountability.

This was the focus of discussion on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Kapital FM Abuja, where experts examined the implications of the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act prescribing a ₦10 million fine and possible jail term for offenders.

A Public Affairs Analyst, Dr. Dele Fulani, called on the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to firmly support the proposal through effective enforcement.

“Sanctioning defaulters is critical to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process. Without discipline, political parties cannot function effectively,” he said.

Fulani noted that dual party membership has continued to undermine party ideology and loyalty, encouraging political opportunism and weakening internal democracy within parties.

Also speaking, a legal practitioner, Michael Ochili, emphasized the need for political parties to operate within clearly defined constitutional frameworks and ideological principles.

“Political parties must adhere strictly to their constitutions. When internal mechanisms are weak, politicians exploit loopholes, leading to practices like dual party membership,” he stated.

He added that beyond legal sanctions, strengthening party structures and promoting transparency would go a long way in addressing the issue.

The discussion also highlighted concerns around the constitutional right to freedom of association, with some critics arguing that punitive measures could be misused or selectively enforced. However, the guests maintained that appropriate legal frameworks and institutional oversight would ensure fairness.

A caller, Adams West from Suleja in Niger State, expressed support for the proposed sanctions, describing them as long overdue.

“This will make politicians more accountable and focused on delivering good governance to the people,” he said.

Participants on the programme agreed that institutions such as INEC and the judiciary must play a more proactive role in monitoring party activities and enforcing compliance.

They further stressed that Nigeria could learn from other democracies where party discipline is upheld through strong institutional frameworks and clear membership regulations.

MON/Risi/Eugene/Uju/Chinkata