Party System and Nigeria’s Political Development
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The broad objectives or aims of this research work are simply to know the meaning and contributions of multi-party system in Nigeria political development. And these specific objectives are as follows:
- To find out the relationship between multi-party system and political development in Nigeria.
- To access the political implication of multi-party system in Nigeria.
- To access whether the existence of multi-party system ensures democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
In the chapter two of this research work, we are posed with a question, which is the relationship that exists between multiparty system and political development in Nigeria context. In our literature view, we explained the two concepts differently and we had some similarities in both concepts, but for proper understanding, let us briefly examine the various concepts before deriving at a conclusion.
Multiparty system is a scourge to the political growth of any society or nation. It is also a reflection of the division that exists within the society and the extent of diversity. This means that once the nation allows a multiparty system to be in operation, it indirectly extends diversity within such society [Obikeze: 2004]. Multiparty system also is a group system that exists where there are usually several parties with nearly, equal strength political interest and historical experience play dominant role in adoption of this system.
Multiparty system in this understanding, means that the ideology, strategy, interest, history experience etc. all these matters a lot in operation of multiparty system. [Okpata: 2000].
According to Ferguson and Mc Herny [1967], they pointed out that:
The disadvantages of having many parties are that, the multiparty produces instability, confuses the electorate with a multitude of alternatives, represents local groups and factions and diffuses responsibility for action and in action. It would make continued functioning of the electoral system and integration of diverse ethnic and socio-economic group virtually impossible.
Moreover, there is the genuine fear that any multiplication of separates tribal groups. Furthermore, another argument concerning multiparty system is that, it is the most insecure and less viable option to political development [Satori: 1996]. He went further to point out that, it not only that multiparty system cannot profit the stimulation of a responsible opposition, but also that, it is often paralyzed by cabinet instability and by the presence of anti- parties which replace competitive politics with irresponsible outbidding under these condition, he also asserted that:
CHAPTER THREE
THE IMPLICATION OF MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM IN NIGERIA POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
In this chapter, we are to access the implications associated with multi-party system and how it affects Nigerian political development. Categorically speaking, multi-party system has both political and economical implications associated to it, which we shall be discussing fully. The existence of multiparty system is simply a “sine qua non” for democratic consolidation in any polity of any country. In Nigeria, these political parties were regionally based and their activities led to the collapse of these experiments.
A political party is a social group defined by “Herbert Simon” as a system of interdependent activities characterized by a high degree of rational direction of behavior towards end that are objects of common acknowledgement and expectation.
CHAPTER FOUR
Multi-party System and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria 1999-2012.
The global acceptance of „liberal democracy‟ as a major vehicle in attaining peaceful co-existence in a multi-faceted society, promotion of economic development, individual liberty, human rights restoration, rule of law and freedom of healthy competition in global socio-political activities, necessitated the quest for democratic consolidation especially in society like ours that have experienced dictatorship over the years [Nwafor,2009:20].
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
In summary, this research work which was based on the topic: The Multi-party system and Political development in Nigeria, An Appraisal of fourth Republic from 1999-2012. But before that, the researcher wants to rightly point that, this work was not based on any prejudice or any personal grudges, rather, it was accessed in line with the past and present experience. In other words, the work is categorically divided into chapters.
In the chapter one, the researcher started with a background study, where the topic of the work was introduced briefly. And he started by tapping into the historical background of political parties in Nigeria. In the process, it was discovered that, multi-party system in Nigeria was colonial oriented under the Clifford constitution of 1922. Apart from that, in line with the topic, three troubling questions were posed by the researcher, which including the following: firstly, Is there any relationship between multi-party system and political development in Nigeria? Secondly, does multi-party system have any implications on Nigerian political development? And lastly, does multi-party system ensure Democratic consolidation in Nigeria? All these were the questions that were asked and the researcher tried to answer the questions. In attending to the statement of problem of the research work, the researcher adopted a theoretical framework suitable for the work, thereby sharing in the ideology of Arthur Bently (1908), in his group theory. Here, the scholar was simply trying to say that, “the interactions of groups are the basis of political life”. Then after that, there was an operational definition of terms that helped in the course of analysis.
In the chapter two, the researcher begins by explaining the relationship between multi-party system and political development. Here, the researcher was forced to access various party system that have ever existed in Nigeria from pre-independent period, down to first republic, second republic, third republic and present fourth republic. In the process of assessment, it was then discovered that, Nigeria practiced multi-party system in first republic (1960-1965), second republic (1966-1984). But in the third republic, the party system changed from multi-party system to two-party system under military rule led by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. During this military, it was only two parties that were recognized legally, which were National Republican Convention (NRC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP). But then, it was later in 1999 under Gen. AbdusalamiAbubakar decided to hand over the power to a civilian government. And after the 1999 election, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo assumed power as a civilian government. This event marked the return of democratic government in Nigeria and the beginning of fourth republic. Therefore, in the assessment of the entire republic from first republic down to the present fourth republic, it was found out that, all of them shared similar cases of electoral violence, political crisis, rigging of elections, under aged voting, bribing of electoral bodies, assassination of political aspirants and other related cases. So in other words, in answering the first question, which stated that, is there any relationship between multiparty system and political development in Nigeria, therefore, the researcher after assessment, discovered that, there is no relationship between political development and multi-party system in Nigeria context.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, we are able to see that the problem lies not in the form or type of government, but the style our leaders adopt in governing the masses. The proliferation of political parties in Nigeria is not healthy for the nation‟s democratic growth. Ordinarily, in a multi-party democracy as Nigeria claims to practice, the number of political parties found in the fray should not be a cause for worry. But a closer observation clearly shows that most of these parties exist only in name and do not qualify to be called political parties at all. It is a cancerous growth that is stifling the democracy in the country. As political organizations, political parties seek to influence government policy, by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political offices. Parties participate in electioneering campaigns and political mass education. Again, political parties exist to espouse known ideologies and visions bolstered by specific goals and form coalitions among disparate interests where necessary. The big idea is to win an opportunity to steer the ship of governance to a higher level and thus make life more abundant to a greater number of citizens. It then follows that, a political party that cannot participate in elections is improperly so called and a mockery. At best it is a pressure group engaging in protest actions and advancing it own interest. Political parties do not exist for the sole purpose of endorsing and adopting candidates of other political parties as presently the case in Nigeria. By so doing, it makes nonsense of the fundamental reason why political parties exist. It is a development into a sticky situation. It does appear some Nigerians have seized the liberal guidelines for the registration of political parties to engage in it as mere pastime and have no due regard for the serious responsibilities associated with parties as political organizations. For the avoidance of doubt, political parties exist to offer alternative platforms to citizens who have the passion to serve their country and have something serious to contribute to nation building effort. That is why political parties are ideologically driven. Yet, in Nigeria, the political parties have no clear ideology, nor programme. In the 2011 electioneering, all the electorate could hear was, “I will create millions of jobs”, “I will resolve electricity” and so on, without any clear illumination of the state of things and a plausible road map round it. The implication is that, today, one can hardly say what the over sixty political parties registered by INEC stand for, aside the fact that majority of them do not have capacity to go into elections and have indeed constantly shied away from past elections even after collecting subventions from the electoral commission. In the last presidential election, only a handful of them took part and only for parties like Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria People‟s Party (ANPP) and People‟s Democratic Party (PDP), were all in the context. Likewise, in 1999, only three political parties with clear programmes and ideology were registered and participated in presidential elections of that year, namely All People Party (APP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and People‟s Democratic Party (PDP). Then, the political environment was far more meaningful and progressive than what obtains presently. Going by the last presidential election won by President Goodluck Jonathan, opposition has died a natural death. For me, the irrelevant parties should be proscribed so that viable opposition party can emerge through possible alliance of ACN, ANPP and CPC and this has been latest development. The argument that it is undemocratic to regulate the number of parties is not too healthy also in the face of the growing need to moderate the staccato of political parties to mitigate their negative impacts on the democratic process. One way of l doing this is to strike some kind of a balance. Deriving from this, a political party that has not participated in the general elections should be presumed dead and deregistered and those who have consistently failed to win seats both into state and federal assemblies should also be deregistered.
Recommendations
Some of the recommendations towards achieving a democratic consolidation and political development through political parties include the following:
- While Constitutional Right Project (CRP) believes that there is need to strengthen our democratic institutions, a total overhaul of present electoral laws regulating party registration should commence.
- Due to lack of philosophy and ideology, political parties go against the dictates of their manifestoes, therefore, our political parties should have a clearly defined philosophy and ideology that will enable them conform with the dictates of their manifestoes.
- The linkages between political parties and ethnicity are not in the best interest of the Nigerian people. This is an area where de-linking is appropriate and necessary. This can be made possible if the people have political education. The people should understand their rights, responsibilities and the role of the state. They should be educated to demand accountability on the part of those elected into office. They should be in a position to recall those who have failed to deliver. Because a proper understanding of the various political issues will there to prevent them from being used as pawns by the leaders in the ethnicity.
- The way political parties are constituted and legitimized have bearing on both the scope and content of democracy in the country, as well as on the capacity of government to be responsible and accountable to the electorates. The parties need to be internally democratic and should be interested in deepening the content of democracy in the country.
- Two-party system seems to appear good for Nigeria, reminiscent of what nostalgically obtained in the NRC and SDP days in third republic, which produced MKO Abiola‟s aborted presidency. Twoparty system as found in Jamaica and neighboring Ghana should be given a serious thought. Australia, Canada, Pakistan, India, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom and Norway are example of countries with two strong parties and additional smaller parties that have also obtained representation. Such examples should be emulated by Nigeria for stability and growth.
- Political parties should be funded by contributions from party members. Government funding for political parties should therefore be withdrawn, so that only the serious ones can survive and face up to the dictates of their calling and others dying a natural death.
- The survival and sustenance of democracy is to a greater extent, dependent on the ability of the electoral body to conduct free and fair elections through a transparent process. For this to be viable, the existence of an electoral body which is independent in its function is needed.
- Finally, it is therefore the fervent hope of many that government should look into the urgent need to reform political parties in Nigeria with a view to sanitizing the democratic process to ensure the survival and growth of hard-earned democracy and political development.
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