Intra-party Crisis in Nigeria: a Case Study of the All Progressive Crisis
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The main objective of the study is to investigate the intra-party crisis in Nigeria. A case study of All Progress Congress. The specific objectives are;
- To examine the nature of intra-party conflicts in APC.
- To evaluate the factors that incite intra-party conflicts in APC
- To assess the effects of intra-party conflicts on elections in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Introduction
This chapter entailed the review of literature as they related to the current study on the intra-party conflicts and the effects they have on election in Nigeria as a country. The chapter justifies the contributions of many scholars towards the major issue being discussed in this study, and also expatiates on the conceptualization of intra-party politics and conflicts and how they affect election. In lieu of this, we explored and reviewed the trajectory and vicissitudes of intra-party politics in Nigeria, complexities of intra-party conflicts in Nigeria, promoting democratic stability and the impacts of political parties, intra-party conflicts and democratization in Nigeria, intra-party struggle and the challenges of good governance, causes of intra-party conflicts in Nigeria, and lastly the theoretical framework of the study. However, this chapter was divided into three (3) major parts: Conceptual Literature Review, Empirical and Theoretical framework.
Conceptual framework
Concept of Conflict
There is no consensus on the precise definition of conflict (Thomas, 1992) and, according to Pruitt (1998); there are almost as many definitions of conflict as there are authors writing about this concept. Notwithstanding the multiplicity of the definitions of the concept of conflict, we shall be examining a few definitions of the concept in this segment. Rubin, et. al. (1994) defines conflict as a perceived divergence of interests or beliefs that the parties ‘current aspirations cannot be achieved simultaneously. It can manifest itself in many forms, some of which may be violent and inflict pain and suffering on both parties in conflict and to other people who may not be directly involved, due to its spillover effect. Wolff (2006:2) also observes that conflict is a situation in which two or more actors pursue incompatible, yet from their individual perspectives entirely just goals‖. Conflict is a process that begins when one party perceives that another party has negatively affected, or is about to negatively affects, something that the first party cares about (Robbins, 1998). The aim of every party in a conflict situation is to achieve values or goals dear to it. Hence, each of the party in conflict employ moves and counter-moves to displace each other as they both struggle to achieve the valued resources, which are the objects of contention. Furthermore, conflict occurs when individuals or groups are entangled in the pursuit of incompatible goals.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In this chapter, the study discussed the methodology underpinning the research work. Here, we uncover the techniques employed to sample, gather and analyze data in order to provide appropriate answers for the research questions and actualize the objectives of the research. Therefore, this chapter disinters the research design, research method, research approach, sampling technique, instruments of data collection, and method of data analysis. Expatiations are also made on how instruments have been validated and data collected and analyzed.
Research Design
Leedy (1993) asserts that research design refers to the common sense and clear thinking necessary for the management of the entire research endeavour and a complete strategy upon the central research problem. Research design is the conceptual structure within which research is conducted and includes the collection and analysis of data which are relevant to the research (Kothari, 2004). It refers to the overall mapped out strategy, approach and technique employed for meticulous and systematic investigation to acquire relevant data for the sake of meeting the research objectives and answering the research questions.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
This chapter focused on the presentation, interpretation and analyses of information collected in the course of the study. Information was obtained through interviews and observation and was systematically presented, interpreted and analyzed to obtain valid information for drawing conclusions.
Discussion of Findings
This research effort has been tailored towards the consequential reality of intra-party conflicts on elections in All Progressive Congress, paying attention to the consistent imbroglio that has knotted the most prominent political party in Nigeria and the issues that provoke internal conflicts in order to amplify the necessity and logical means of addressing them.
Hence, the study has found out series of factors that incite intra-party conflicts in All Progressive Congress and particularly the effects it has on electioneering, which are pointed out in the following key points:
This work has ascertained some findings based on its objectives. Hence, we find it imperative to align each of these findings to its appropriate objective in order to justify the satisfaction of the major focus of the research – ascertaining the effects of intra-party conflicts on elections in Nigeria.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
This chapter introduced the summary of findings, conclusion of the writer and recommendations based on the findings gotten from each research objectives
Summary of Findings
Basically, intra-party conflicts in All Progressive Congress are bedecked with clashes of interests; situations where party members become absolutely contradictory in the pursuit of political goals, while they try to influence the process of making decision in order to curry favour and advantage to their sides. In most instances, party members tend to create their factions to further amplify their voices and grievances in consonance with their political goals. Lack of internal democracy breeds intra-party conflicts. This is evincing in situations where party leaders and elites boycotts the party’s constitution which heightens democracy, for the purpose of gratifying themselves.
Recommendations
This research work suggests the following recommendations, having accentuated the effect of intra-party conflicts in All Progressive Congress:
There is a swift need for political parties in Nigeria to realize party ideologies beyond the papers. Many scholars have underscored the absence of party ideologies in Nigerian political parties which is not actually the problem as these parties really have the ideologies documented in their party constitutions. It is, however, profoundly imperative that Nigerian political parties constantly stipulate and implement their party ideologies in their political operations.
Internal wrangling should be raised and addressed without unnecessary delay. When there is a controversial issue in a political party, the leadership of the party should see it fit to raise such controversy and call every person involved to order on time. This will sure bolster the confidence of the party members and the electorates for belonging to and supporting a trustworthy party. However, when conflicts are allowed to linger for quite a long period of time, it becomes a great wound for the party leadership to deal with. Stringent conditions/penalties should be established for politicians who are fond of cross-carpeting. These conditions should be basically attached to vacating an elective position being occupied by such personality. This will decrease the pace of otiose crisscrossing that is popular among Nigerian political gladiators.
It is crucial to make sure that internal political structures are designed in a way that does not just consolidate the party, but also prepare the political party sufficiently enough to meet the requirements of the Nigerian people. The reason is that when political parties work effectively well, it naturally translates to better governance and an assurance for democratic dividends for the general populace.
Lastly, political re-engineering is profound necessity in the current political reality of Nigeria. This should be realized through a deliberate and aggressive re-orientation programmes which should be organized with the aim of educating, enlightening, and informing the party members, electorates and stakeholders about the political system of Nigeria.
Conclusion
The overarching standpoint of this research effort is anchored on the fact that internal conflicts within political parties in Nigeria have multifarious subtle and obvious ways it affects the process of democratization in the country. The conspicuously commercial perceptions most Nigerian politicians have for politics have been related to the major drive for desperation to clinch political power at the detriment of party ideology and popular support. This has been a major causative factor for intra-party conflict as other party members are prone to creating factions that can assure inclusivity in its dispensations; a faction that will not be superfluously concentrated on the elite, but to the wellbeing of the entire party members.
Meanwhile, factionalisation is a syndrome that should not be encouraged in a political party, as it affects negatively the party’s attractiveness before the citizenry and electorates alike which has a consequential effect on the party’s performance in electioneering. In furtherance, this study underscores that conflicts cannot be absolutely avoided in a political party with multitudes, for such party is prone to experiencing divergent opinions and interests towards a political cause. Expectedly, intra-party conflicts can easily jettison the core value of absolute representation. Political parties are expected to realize series of institutional guarantees so that they can perform beyond expectations; and to realize this, internal democracy must be ensured.
As established in this work, unless the internal political workings of a party are admirable and enticing, truly democratic, well-meaning and well-intention personalities may not join a political party and, consequently, well-intention people may not come into power. This will swiftly remind one of the popular beliefs that the worst of us are ruling the best of us.
Internal democracy is most required in the selection of candidates for elective positions both within and outside elections, as it has been observed that what normally causes factionalisation or conflicts in most Nigerian political parties is the issue of selection of candidates through party primaries for elective positions in general elections. Ethnicisation of party politics, excessive western influence on democracy, poor leadership, and indiscipline within the party, among others spur intra-party conflicts in Nigeria.
Intra-party conflicts jeopardize the party’s image, and this makes the citizens have negative inferences of such political party. As a result of this, citizens find it rather misleading to encourage people to join or support a political party where conflicts are hardly resolved, because when you support such party, you are only trying to prompt corruption, dictatorship, nepotism, disintegration and backwardness into the developmental trajectory of the country.
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