A former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani says the Communist Party of China (CPC) should consider inviting leaders of political parties in Nigeria to subsequent national congresses to learn how a party can drive growth, development and prosperity.
Sani made this known in Abuja on Wednesday at a roundtable on, “The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC): Outcomes and Significance for Nigeria and Africa” organized by the Center for China Studies in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said China, as led by the Communist Party, is founded on an ideology rooted in the people unlike what is obtainable in Nigeria where political parties lack ideology and a governance model.
He, therefore, advocated that the CPC invite political parties in Nigeria to future congresses to learn how a party can serve as a driver for change.
His words, “There are lot of things we can learn from China. The CPC meet once every five years to review what has been done in the last five years and project ahead what needs to be done in the next five years. In our political parties we meet every four years but for elections. We don’t meet to discuss what happened in the last four years and what would happen in the next four years.
“What is of admiration in the way China has been led by the Communist Party is the fact that everything of theirs was founded on an ideology rooted in the spirit of the people. Even the nation is owned by the people. But the reverse is the case in this part of the world. And we believe that one of the problems we can solve is trying to make sure that those parties that are on paper as being owned by the people are truly controlled by the people.
“What I would like is that periodically, leaders of our political parties need to be invited even as observers to see how organized, coordinated and visionary a political party can be. How it can serve as a source, a platform and a leading pilot in the leadership process and development of a country.
“What has always been of interest is that China has been able to chart its developmental part and achieve it. Today, we don’t even know the model to copy. Our idea of governance is getting into power, inviting friends and family, people of our ethnic and religious background then leading a nation. The lesson we have learnt from China is that a nation can sit down, design its future and pursue it to the letter.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun said Nigeria needs strong political parties with a sound ideological base to drive development for the good of all.
“I have talked to the party leaders, we believe that the two major parties and all the 18 parties can benefit from the CPC 20th National Congress. I have the opportunity to share the ideas.
“Really, we believe that CPC can do a lot for the party building Nigeria because I believe a party is not only about power, it is really about people.
“It is about development, it is about how to lead the nation to achieve the good vision.
“We are continuing to do the information sharing next week. We think that we need a strong party in Nigeria, we need a party to lead the nation.
“The Chinese philosophy is that the party is not only for the platform, the manifesto of the campaign but most importantly, how can we implement the manifesto of the party.
“Chinese lessons, Chinese experience can be shared with the Nigerian side,” Cui said.
Also speaking, Mr Charles Onunaiju, Director, Center for China Studies said party congresses in China are focused on providing solutions and not a jamboree. According to him, it is a moment to reflect on the journey made in the last five years and the plan for the next five years.
He stated that political parties in Nigeria can take a cue from China’s Communist Party and be more focused on solving problems and achieving a tangible outcome.
His words “Party congresses should be focused on solving problems. It should not be jamborees.
“Party congress in China draws up a roadmap, it is not about candidates wanting to be this, wanting to be that.
“These are the lessons from the congress of the Communist Party of China. Each time it is held, it is a sober organisation, and it is the most important political festival in China. It develops new paradigms, and new critical roadmaps on the way forward.
“Party congresses should be defined by concrete deliverables, what has it delivered, how are our people engaged, are people more excluded, are people more involved, in what ways can the people be more involved.
“How can we assess how far we have gone, what are the policy options we have executed in the past, how has it impacted on the people?
“If you read the general secretary of the party, he catalogues everything that has been achieved, also underscores the challenges ahead and then defines a roadmap.
“Party platforms should be more tailored to deliverables, to practical tangibles, this is the lesson from China which also has many things in common with us, a developing country, from third world to first world.
“Forty-five years ago, Nigeria was richer than China, today, it is a different story. So we can do more not to make our party congress just jamborees, our political party more than music.
“Let it be a defining framework for launching ourselves to the new phase of development,” Onunaiju said.
Established in 1921, the Communist Party of China (CPC) through its Marxist-Socialist ideology has been able to transform China into a leading economic, industrial and global powerhouse.
The CPC holds its national congress once in five years to review progress made and outline plans for the future.
The 20th congress which took place between October 16 to 22 saw the re-election of President Xi Jinping for another term of five years.
