The Challenges of Internal Party Democracy to Nigerian Democratic Process: A Study of PDP and APC (1999-2023)

Abstract

Nigerian democracy has confronted series of challenges with the return to civil rule in 1999 among which include, the imposition of candidates, godfatherism, money politics, and injustice, lack of party manifestoes and ideology, party indiscipline and so on. The problem as a matter of fact, hinges on lack of internal (intra-party) democracy in political parties. This is attributable to the neglect of democratic tenets by the party elite, flouting of the party constitution, imposition of candidates, and concentration of political power in a small individual or group's hands. This problem, which has led to party defection, has remained a permanent feature in the Nigerian democracy. Methodologically, this study relied heavily on secondary materials such as books, journals, internet sources and other related documents. The data obtained were discussed, analyzed and interpreted using content analysis. Importantly, internal party democracy entails inclusiveness, democratic values, accountability and fairness in power distribution and decision-making. This makes internal democracy vital for the survival of any political party and democratic system. However, its lack leads to political party conflicts, threatening government stability and democratic governance. The objective of this paper therefore interrogates the role of political parties and internal democracy in Nigeria in the context of the two main parties the PDP and the APC - the rule of law, management of the economy, the fight against corruption and management of intra-party conflicts. This paper argues that non-adherence to regulations governing recruitment by the party elite accounts for lack of internal (intra-party) democracy in both the PDP and the APC. The climax of the analysis is the identified challenges plaguing internal party democracy to Nigerian democratic process such as the impropriety of the party primaries and the imposition of candidates, a lack of a clearly defined ideology, godfatherism, and the insufficiency of internal conflict resolution procedures. Also, the study found out that the party system in Nigeria is still weak and vulnerable with no visible signs of adding value to the democratic delivery and good governance. It is recommended that issues of organizational capacity, effective leadership, internal democracy, discipline, institutionalization and personalization, ideological platforms of mobilization and linkage to civil society and the masses should be addressed.