The Impact of Internal Party Democracy on GOVERNANCE in Nigeria’s Elections as opined by the APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa – Written by Nduka Anyanwu, SA- Media to The APGA National Chairman.
Nigeria’s democratic journey has been marked by significant challenges, particularly in the realm of internal party democracy. The absence of robust democratic practices within political parties has far-reaching consequences for the country’s governance and electoral processes.
THE STATE OF INTERNAL PARTY DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA
Internal party democracy refers to the extent to which political parties adhere to democratic principles in their internal decision-making processes. In Nigeria, the dominance of the ruling party and the lack of effective opposition have contributed to a dearth of internal democracy within parties. This has resulted in the
concentration of power in the hands of party leaders, undermining the ability of party members to participate in decision-making processes.
CONSEQUENCES OF WEAK INTERNAL PARTY DEMOCRACY
The absence of internal party democracy has significant implications for governance in Nigeria. Some of the consequences include:
1. Intra-Party Conflicts: The lack of democratic processes within parties can lead to conflicts and power struggles, which can destabilize the party and undermine its ability to govern effectively
2. Poor Representation: When party members are not involved in decision-making processes, they may feel disconnected from the party’s leadership and policies. This can lead to poor representation of constituents’ interests and a lack of accountability.
3. Electoral Malpractices: The concentration of power within parties can lead to electoral malpractices, such as the imposition of candidates and
the manipulation of election results.
THE WAY FORWARD
To strengthen governance in Nigeria’s elections, it is essential to promote internal party democracy. This can be achieved through:
1. Reform of Party Constitutions: Parties should reform their constitutions to provide for more inclusive and participatory decision-making processes.
2. Strengthening of Party Institutions: Parties should strengthen their institutions, such as the party congress and the national executive committee, to ensure that they are more representative and accountable.
3. Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Parties should promote transparency and accountability within their ranks, including the disclosure of party finances and the publication of election results.
By promoting internal party democracy, Nigeria can strengthen its governance and electoral processes, ensuring that the country’s democratic institutions are more representative, accountable, and effective.
