X-Raying the Dynamics of Political Parties on Democratic Process in Nigeria (original) (raw)
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POLITICAL PARTIES AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESS: A STUDY OF THE NIGERIAN FOURTH REPUBLIC
Nigerian Educational Digest(NED), 2023
Of course, partism is agreeably one of the salient features of democracy, but it seems to constitute an impediment to democratization in the Nigerian political context. Nigeria had inconsistently practiced party politics alongside federalism to the detriment of the nationalistic ethnics upon which the state itself was founded. The issue now is that partism which ought to foster a virile democracy is in reality a constraint. Premised on this background, this paper examines the role of political parties in democratic process. The aim is to identify the constitutional roles political parties are expected to play in Nigerian democracy with particular reference to the ongoing fourth republic. A qualitative method that uses consultation with literature as a means of data gathering was adopted for the study. The paper x-rays the conventional roles of political parties in democracy. It argues that political parties are forerunners to democracy and for a society to practice democracy based on western philosophy, it must be fully involved in party politics. The paper observes that Nigerian politicians have reduced political parties to paper tigers thereby becoming threat to national unity. Be it as it may, the findings of this paper have similarly noted that party politics is fundamentally a part of democratic values and indeed, democracy based on western model cannot function without the existence of political parties. It therefore recommended that Nigerians must as a matter of urgency develop a new political culture towards partisan politics and Government should not place high premium on remuneration for the people going there to serve, otherwise, coming to serve will always be seen as a do or die affair.
Party Politics and Democratic Governance in Nigeria
WILBERFORCE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
While considering the democratic debate in Nigeria, we understand that the nexus between party politics and democratic governance lacks comprehensive analysis. This paper seeks to answer the question of whether party politics fosters or hinders democratic governance in Nigeria. It is intended to draw a nexus between internal party dynamics and poor governance in a democratic system of government using the theoretical tool of Group Theory. The methodology adopted is qualitative, and descriptive research design is used to guide the study. The study unveils the transactional nature of party politics as adversative and dysfunctional to democratic governance at all levels of government in Nigeria. Embedded within the drama of partisan politics, is a regime of patronage politics that is essentially opposed to all norms, values, and prevailing tenets of democratic governance. The paper recommends the accentuation of the purpose, and functions of political parties; it should be well defined...
Democratization "Without Political Parties": The Nigerian Example
African Journal of Governance and Development , 2020
Political parties are globally recognized as agents of democratization. Against this background, this paper interrogates the centrality of political parties in Nigeria's democratization process. Focusing on the country's fourth republic that began in 1999, the roles of political parties in the transition from one government to another within the period under review were appraised. Through content analysis of data obtained from secondary sources and observation, the paper analyzed how political parties have distorted democratic consolidation in Nigeria. It is argued that given their nature, character and activities, the recognized and registered political platforms for contesting elections in the country could hardly be described as political parties in the real sense of the word. This is attributed to the challenges associated with the constitutional provisions for evolving political parties and antics of the ruling class in the country, thus, providing a premise for the emergence of these political associations and boost their activities. Furthermore, we analyzed attempts at addressing these challenges and why they appear to be intractable. In conclusion, the paper suggests that unless the relevant constitutional provisions are improved to promote the formation of political parties (in the real sense of the word), democratic consolidation may remain an illusion as the country experiences transition from one government to another.
POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS AS FRAMEWORKS FOR DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT
Political Parties and Elections as Frameworks for Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: An Assessment., 2018
Political parties and elections are very integral parts of democracy, especially the western form that is being practiced in Nigeria. They form the platforms through which the citizens are made to actively participate in the affairs of the state. This worldwide trend known as democratization has made the issue of election a crucial political imperative. This study examines the relationship between politicians and challenges of conducting free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria with particular reference to the recent elections that were held in the country. The elite theory as put forward by Pareto, Michel and Mosca was adopted for empirical appraisal since the formation of political parties and electoral conducts are purely the dictates of the elites in Nigeria. Materials for the paper were majorly sourced through secondary means. The study shows that the manipulations, subjugations and alterations being witnessed in the country's political system are serious threats to her democratic journey. Democratic ethos must begin within the individual political party in Nigeria before it can translate into the country's national elections. The conclusion of the study is that both political party and elections are frameworks that have the capacity to consolidate or crucify the any nation's democracy depending on their operationality. Part of the recommendations of the study is that the ethos of democracy must be adhered to at both party and general elections. More so, the media should be unbiased in the coverage of elections and party affairs, and there is need to ensure that people of chaste characters are appointed to manage the country's electoral system.
The Dynamics of Managing Political Parties in Nigeria
2018
Despite all the challenges since the return to democratic rule in 1999 after a prolonged military rule, democracy is being consolidated in Nigeria. The six successive elections, the peaceful transfer of power from one civilian regime to another, and power alternation at the national level in the 2015 election are indications of democratic progress amidst the fragility of the institutional foundations of democracy, especially the political parties and the party system. Elections remain contentious amidst troubling attitudes and behaviours of the mainstream political elite which often poses a challenge to democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Political parties are not only an indispensable component of democracy but also central to the survival of a political system. Deepening democracy goes beyond conducting elections to building strong institutional foundations, including the rule of law, constitutionalism, strong media and civil society, and, perhaps most importantly, political parties. The significant role political parties play especially in mobilizing citizens, aggregating interests, recruiting candidates, developing policy proposals, coordinating governments, and making them accountable in democracy, cannot be overemphasized. Despite their shortcomings, functional political parties remain the link between government and society and the cornerstone of representative democracy.
Abstract This research is to examine the contributions of political parties in a democratic governance in Nigeria. This cannot be overemphasized, this is in view of the fact that they are the platform through which officials seek political power in other to initiate and execute programmes for public good. This paper explores an important aspect of the Fourth Republic politics, which is about the contributions of political parties in democratic governance. The paper argues that 16 years into this ‘democratic’ dispensation, Nigeria has not scored high when placed in the same matrix with countries that are heading towards stable democracy. The paper further stressed that political parties in Calabar Municipal Council has in its own little way insignificant contributions to democracy and societal development in the area. The paper further argues that Some political Parties in Calabar Municipal council have failed in their democratic responsibilities of aggregating social interests, representing specific constituencies, and serving as intermediaries between state and society. The paper recommend that members of political parties should endeavour to understand the need of the masses which they lead in order to strategize good means of tackling the need.
The Contents And Discontents Of Party Politics And Democratic Experiment In Nigeria
IJRBMS, 2017
Against the general notion of democracy as a means of popular participation, in Nigeria the populace have been systematically silenced by the oppressing forces of the government and grossly denied the opportunities to participate in debate on most of the critical socioeconomic and political issues that have direct impacts on the citizen‟s lives. More often than none, few privileged individuals have continued to force their opinions and interests on the state without consideration for general interests. This schism according to Badmus, (2014) is due to the nature and structure of Nigerian state from inception which is characterised by intense struggling for political power, blatant disregard for the rule of law, gross corruption and high incidence of disregard for democratic values... Meanwhile, the political stability and development of any political system is a function of active involvement of the citizens in civic and political matters, particularly, on issues affecting their collective interests. This paper argues that since the return of democratic rule in 1999, there has been high level of discontents among the general populace toward nature of democratic rule in Nigeria. This is due to the fact that democracy in Nigeria has continued to foster the interests of the few privileged as against the common interests and this situation has continued to threaten democratic stability and consolidation. Keyword: party politics, democratic experiment, democracy, popular participation
Journal of African elections, 2007
Political parties are not only a major agency for the recruitment and enthronement of political leaders in an electoral democracy they are the foundation and a building block of the process of democratic evolution and consolidation. However, the nature and character of the dominant political parties in Nigeria threaten the country's nascent democratic project. They lack clear ideological orientation, do not articulate alternative worldviews, rarely mobilise the citizenry, and basically adopt anti-democratic methods to confront and resolve democratic issues. Intra-and inter-party electoral competition is fraught with intense violence, acrimony and warfare. Put differently, these parties display all the tendencies and conduct of authoritarianism. The result is that what exists in Nigeria is 'democratism', the form and not the substance of an evolving democracy.
The Role of Opposition Political Parties in the Development of Democracy in Nigeria
2019
With the recent quest across African continent for good governance in a democratic setting and development in a transcultural society, the need to examine the mode of leadership becomes important. Sustainable and strong democracy is dependent on the existence of well-organized and functioning political parties. The institution remains a crucial actor in bringing together diverse interests, recruits and present candidates, and develops competing policy proposals that provide people with a choice. In a democracy world over and Nigeria in particular there is no substitute for open competition between political parties. The objective of the paper is therefore to examine the roles of opposition political parties in Nigeria and its role in sustaining the democratic development in the country. The research adopted expository method, hermeneutics and by its nature generates data from empirical and secondary sources. The finding of the study reveals that the opposition political parties are ...
The Role of Political Parties in Democratic Stability in Nigeria
2015
The paper argue that, political parties are essential features of democratic stability in societies for the fact that, they formulate political policy agenda, select candidates conduct election campaigns and monitors the works of their elected representatives. Party’s serves as a link between citizens and government, consolidates development through a welldefined economic programme. They also provide leadership training to members and generate national awareness and help to galvanize opinion in time of national referendum. For parties to effectively and efficiently perform the above functions, they have to meet certain criteria such as autonomy, complexity and coherence. Parties should also be able to develop and maintain a strong party organization with depth and breadth necessary for the operations and the degree of institutionalization of the party as indicated by its historical roots, longevity, survival and continuing supports. In the Nigerian case, the paper argues that, prope...