The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been advised to consider mandating political parties to employ trained psychiatrists as part of ongoing electoral reforms. Professor Anthony Kila, a director at the Institute of the Commonwealth and a jurist, made this suggestion in response to a recent incident at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The incident involved a clash between two factions of the party, resulting in chaos and the alleged teargassing of two state governors, Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde.

According to Professor Kila, the presence of well-trained psychiatrists within political parties could help address underlying issues that contribute to such conflicts. He emphasized that the incident was a “show of shame” that highlighted a flaw in the Nigerian partisan political elite class. Normally, political parties are composed of individuals with shared purposes and like minds, but the recent incident demonstrated that this is not always the case.

The clash between the two PDP factions, one loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike and the other to newly elected National Chairman Tanimu Turaki, has raised concerns about the party’s internal dynamics. The incident occurred as Turaki attempted to assume office, accompanied by Governors Mohammed and Makinde. Professor Kila noted that the behavior exhibited by the party members, including the deployment of police officers and physical altercations, was unbecoming and uninspiring.

The suggestion to mandate psychiatrists in political parties is seen as a potential step towards addressing the underlying issues that contribute to such conflicts. By providing a professional and neutral perspective, psychiatrists could help parties to better manage their internal dynamics and reduce the likelihood of violent clashes. As the Nigerian electoral landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether INEC will consider Professor Kila’s proposal as part of its ongoing reforms. The incident has underscored the need for greater civility and cooperation within political parties, and the potential benefits of seeking professional help to achieve this goal.