By: Ijeoma Sandra, Nnewi.
The former Spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has called for urgent reforms to the party system in Nigeria.
He made this call on Thursday, July 24, 2025, during the maiden International Conference of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Chief Metuh, who spoke on the theme “Africa at a Crossroads: Confronting Governance, Security, and Development Challenges in the 21st Century,” said that without institutionalizing Nigeria’s political parties, good governance, security, and real development would not be achieved.
He noted that strong institutions—especially political parties—remain vital for sustainable development, adding that Nigeria’s political parties lack the depth and maturity to stabilize governance.
“Adopting multi-party systems in many African countries, including Nigeria, has failed to achieve the development gains expected. Even elder statesmen like Obasanjo and Mbeki question whether Western democracy models can truly work for Africa without internal reforms,” he disclosed.
Metuh enumerated what he coined the “Metuh Doctrine for Party Institutionalization” as: restoring political parties’ ideological frameworks, enforcing manifestos, banning political defections, institutionalizing zoning, reforming party funding, and educating the public on ideology, manifestos, and political accountability to deepen civic engagement.
As a grassroots community organizer in Nnewi, Metuh said that if Anambra State truly seeks development, the next governor should support the Metuh Doctrine by strengthening democracy instead of merely chasing power.
“Anambra deserves a party system that works—not one that divides us or recycles broken leadership. This election is our chance to choose not just a governor, but a path. Let’s choose the path that builds institutions, not just individuals,” he added.
