The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has said the current democratic dispensation in the country cannot work or progress without strong political parties.
Dare made this disclosure on Friday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital during the 73rd posthumous birthday of the former governor of the state, late Abiola Ajimobi.
DAILY POST gathered that Ajimobi who governed the state for two consecutive terms of eight years died in the year 2020.
Ajimobi who was born on 16 December 1949 was the governor between 2011 and 2019.
Our correspondent reports that prominent politicians among whom are gubernatorial candidates, national assembly candidates, academics, professionals and traditional leaders, on Friday shunned their affiliations to honour the former governor whose posthumous birthday occurred today (Friday).
Some of those who were at the event christened Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi roundtable and 73rd Posthumous birthday which took place at the University of Ibadan included gubernatorial candidate of Accord, Mr. Bayo Adelabu, gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Teslim Folarin, former minister for trades, Chief Onikepo Akande, Ajimobi’s deputy, Mr. Alake Adeyemo and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi.
Wife of the former governor, Florence Ajimobi, former APC Chairman, Akin Oke, former commissioner for health, Azeez Adeduntan, Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu who was represented by his deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa and former commissioner for Education, Adeniyi Olowofela were also at the event.
Others at the event with the theme” Deepening Nigeria’s Democracy for Sustainable Development” were the Director General, Nigeria Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa Osaghae, Professor Albert Olawale among others.
Dare while speaking said all stakeholders including the media and civil society groups have roles to play to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
He, however, declared that the current democracy cannot work without strong political parties.
Dare who gave a keynote address at the event said, “So, how can we strengthen our democracy?
“The role of the judiciary is very crucial. The media and the civil societies must work to ensure we strengthen our democracy.
“Democracy cannot function without strong political parties”.
