We don’t need FG’s funds —PDP, CPC

The Peoples Democratic Party and the Congress for Progressive Change have dismissed calls by politicians for the Federal Government to fund political parties in the country.
The National Auditor of the PDP, Bode Mustapha; the National Chairman, Democratic Peoples’ Party, Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.); and the National Secretary, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Tijani Tumsha, had reportedly urged the government to issue grants to the parties.
The National Publicity Secretary, PDP, Olisa Metuh, however told SUNDAY PUNCH on Friday that government had more important challenges to tackle with funds than funding the parties.
He said, “As a political party, we have the problem of funding but we have worked out alternatives and constitutional ways of generating revenue for the party. Our members are paying dues and levies. Those elected into public offices give five per cent of their salaries to the party.
“At this time, the country is faced with more pressing challenges. The government needs to expend the limited resources on national developmental projects.”
Similarly, National Publicity Secretary, CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, said there was a need for political parties to merge for viability and self-sustenance. He faulted the diversion of public funds into the running of political parties.
He said, “We believe that a party, like an organisation, should be ready to fund itself. A party should be sustained by the funds from its members. Elected members of a party should be ready to sacrifice part of their legitimate earnings and emolument, like allowances and salaries, to the running of the party.
“What is important is that a party must be able to generate its funds through contributions by its members. It is advisable for political parties to merge in order to exist very well. If you know you can’t exist through self-funding, why not close shop.”
However, the National Publicity Secretary, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Emma Eneukwu, argued that government funding of the parties would put the smaller ones on a level playing ground with the ruling party.
He said, “It is worthwhile for the government to fund political parties. If the government does, it will encourage some checks and balances; if the government does not, it will not have the guts to question how the parties are being run.
“But, the ruling PDP, which controls the resources of the nation, has withheld the funds to cripple the opposition parties.”
On May 12, 2012, the Senate expunged Section 89 of the 2006 Electoral Act, which empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission to share 10 per cent of its grant among registered political parties.
Culled: Punchng