Reps Throw Out Proposal For Two Party System

ABUJA, May 20, (THEWILL) - Moves to change the party system in the country from the current multi party system to two party system has failed as it could not go through the House of Representatives on Thursday.

172 members voted in favour of retaining the current multi party system as against 48 members who wanted the adoption of two party system for the 2011 election.

Those supporting the two party system had rejected initial voice vote used by Speaker Dimeji Bankole who ruled in favour of multi party system and called for a division and head count to determine the matter.

Splitting the House into two, a head count by the Clerk of the House of Representatives ended with 172 members rejecting the two party system as against the 48 clamouring for it.

Though the proposal of two party system is not contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill which is under consideration in the National Assembly, the House took up the matter following a motion to that effect by Minority Leader Honourable Ali Ndume who argued that that is the only way to ensure sanity in party politics in the country.

Ndume’s motion came on the heels of call for two party system by former state governors under the aegis of Former Governors’ Forum.

The former governors who visited the leadership of the National Assembly to canvass the adoption of the limited party system with the on going review of the Electoral Act, argued that the introduction of two party system is the only way to ensure democratic growth and check the dominance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The proposal however divided the House with those supporting it insisting that such is the only way to sanitize the polity and check proliferation of political parties in the country.

They also argued that the current multi party system is inimical to the growth of democracy as it has led to undue political dominance by the PDP.

Those opposed to the proposal however carried the day as they insisted that it is against the principle of freedom of association as enshrined in section 40 of the Constitution.