Abuja: Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, the Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, has described Nigeria’s democracy as a work in progress. Rafsanjani shared his views during a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Rafsanjani emphasized that achieving democratic principles is a continuous process, one that persists until responsible governance and leadership are prioritized. He highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing challenges within governance structures to achieve successful democratization.
Rafsanjani noted that despite reservations, Nigeria has consistently held elections, which he identified as a crucial component of a functioning democracy. He acknowledged the presence of challenges but praised the regularity of elections and the ongoing amendments of laws as signs of progress.
He also pointed out that Nigeria’s multi-party system offers citizens the ability to select their representatives, emphasizing the need to maintain this system to provide options and opportunities for Nigerians at local, state, and national levels.
Addressing concerns about the defection of politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and fears of a shift towards a one-party state, Rafsanjani argued that defections do not necessarily indicate such a shift. He stated that while some politicians are defecting, others continue to support the parties they left, and the law does not restrict party members from changing affiliations. Rafsanjani asserted that the existence of multiple political parties remains crucial.