By Folasade Adeniran
Lagos – The Association of Political Consultants – Africa (APCA) on Thursday in Lagos, said consultancy had a vital role to play in repositioning democracy in Africa.
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the association in Nigeria, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, said this at a news conference ahead of the association’s second Africa Summit and Diamond Awards coming up in April.
“Africa is today beset by a litany of anti-democratic practices that have stalled its progress in all spheres.
“Daylight electoral robberies, subversion of electoral rules, sit-tight leadership syndrome are some of the problems of the African democracy that come to mind.
“Of the two main goals, you will agree with us that with the troubles faced by the African democracy, political consultants have great roles to play to reshape the thinking of the leaders and the led,” Okanlawon said.
He said that the theme of the summit “Democracy and Political Consultancy” was aimed at allowing professionals from Africa, America, Asia and Europe to assess the place of consultancy in Africa’s democratic practice and culture.
Okanlawon explained that the association took its root from the international body – the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) formed in 1968.
He said that the association had no affiliation with any political party in Nigeria.
He said that the goals of the group were the nurturing of and development of democracy on Africa and fostering of better political consulting practices in this continent.
“This can only be done if political consultants themselves are well organised, focused on the values of this assignment through regular exchange of ideas such as this annual summit and other related activities,” he said.
Okanlawon said that the summit would enlighten the people more on the essence of political consultancy and ignite further interests in the practice.