Multi Party System and Democratic Sustenance in Nigeria

Multi Party System and Democratic Sustenance in Nigeria

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 democratic sustenance. And these specific objectives are as follows:

To find out the relationship between multi-party system and democratic sustenance 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

LITERATURE REVIEW

Multi-party System and Democratic sustenance 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 democratic sustenance 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 democratic sustenance [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:

The multiparty system is more an agent of disintegration than an instrument of aggregation and integration and the outcome is sheer immobility, mal-integration or disorderly change, which is an ideologically motivated, unrealistic sequence of abrupt changes that are likely to be successful [Satori, 1996].

What could be derived in the above assertion is that a developing pluralistic society in search of national integration (as an attribute of democratic sustenance) cannot afford to experience abrupt political changes and instability, nor can it afford increased polarization of a great number of cleavages that already existed in the society. This was why multiparty system had failed repeatedly in Nigeria as a mechanism for fostering democratic sustenance and stability. Democratic sustenance entails increased differentiation and specialization of political structures and the increased secularization of political culture, effectiveness, efficiency and capability were seen a benchmark of democratic sustenance.

CHAPTER THREE

THE IMPLICATION OF MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM IN NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC SUSTENANCE

In this chapter, we are to access the implications associated with multi party system and how it affects Nigerian democratic sustenance. Categorically speaking, multi-party system has both political and economical implications associated to it, which we shall be discussing fully. The existence of multi- party 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.

Multi-party system is an instrument for promoting of democratic sustenance and national integration through political parties. This is by virtue of its diverse social base and organizational arrangement, which link the rulers with the ruled on the one hand and on the other hand, peoples of diverse socio cultural learning. So taking a cursory look at the Nigerian state, this paper examines the socio-economic and political implication associated with multi-party system. Because, Nigeria is a nation of extraordinary diversity, indeed scholars are agreed that it is a culturally variegated society characterized by multiplicity of language culture, ethnic and religious groupings whose coming together under various multi-parties owe it colonial experience. In other words, a multi-party system which is “a network of relationships through which many political parties interact and influence the political process” is an aspect of the democratization process whose importance cannot be overemphasized [Agbaje, 1999:198]. Therefore, its well-being of any political parties and their functionality largely determines the outcome of the entire political process.

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]. Hence, reputed as the „makers‟ of democracy, political parties are by all standards, one of the most outstanding and distinguishing elements of modern government [Omotola,2010:125]. Indeed, democracy is unthinkable in the absence of viable political parties. Political parties are expected to participate in the political socialization of electorates, contributes to the accumulation of political power, facilitate recruitment of political leadership and equally serve as unifying force in a divided polity. And therefore, political parties can only cope with these pivotal roles, only provided that they are viable, in such that they are well institutionalized, internally democratic, coherent, disciplined and autonomous [Omotola,2010:126].

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 Democratic sustenance 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 democratic sustenance in Nigeria? Secondly, does multi party system have any implications on Nigerian democratic sustenance? 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 democratic sustenance. 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. Abdusalami Abubakar 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 multi- party system and democratic sustenance in Nigeria, therefore, the researcher after assessment, discovered that, there is no relationship between democratic sustenance and multi-party system in Nigeria context.

In the chapter three, the researcher tried examining the implication of multi-party system in Nigeria democratic sustenance. So the researcher exhaustively accessed the various controversies associated with elections starting with the first republic elections down to the fourth republic elections, but placed more emphasis on the fourth republic elections from 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections. In course of analysis, it was discovered that, all these elections conducted in the our fourth republic so far, have shared some similar characteristics of several cases like electoral manipulation, rigging of elections, assassination of political opponents, gangsterism, stuffing of ballot boxes, under age voting, raising of party militias armies, the outright falsification of election results and many other related cases. Infact, with regard to the 2011 post-election crisis, Nigerian leadership Newspaper on Wednesday, April 20^th captured it in their front page: Post election violence in Nigeria: 121 people dead, 15,000 displaced in Northern part of the country; Another post-election violence as some NYSC members escaped death in Minna. And likewise related stories captured in other newspapers. Therefore, from such stories, the researcher came to conclusion, based on the electoral violence experience in Nigeria in 2011 general election, likewise other previous 2007, 2003 and 1999 elections that multi-parties in Nigeria have not fully come to terms with the referents of elections for a proper democratic sustenance and national integration. Furthermore, it was also discovered that the elites in Nigeria, have failed to play by the rules of competitive electoral politics which prioritize politics of tolerance, conflict and consensus, bargaining and compromise. Rather, these elites saw elections in Nigeria as warfare, characterized by gangsterism and political disorder. Thus, these dominant pattern of elections and electioneering in Nigeria, threatens to tear the country apart and put its tenuous peace at great risks. In line with that, it was equally discovered that, apart from political implications, there were also economic implications attached to the politics of multi-party system in Nigeria, since multi-party elections failed to maintain political stability and development. The nature of insecurity in Nigeria has actually exacerbated them totally. The nature of political unrest and spate of insecurity which have invaded the country, precisely the Northern part of Nigeria, has continued to pose big threat on socio-economic and democratic sustenance. The activities of Boko Haram sect has unaccountably led to lose of thousands of lives and properties worth of millions. Also, the economy has been seriously threatened due to the level of insecurity in major flash-points of the country. So on this note, the researcher concluded that, multi-party system from experience since 1999 till present date has not exactly shown any sign of positive implications; rather it has been a product of crisis upon crisis and has not really achieved its core objective, which is democratic consolidation and democratic sustenance in Nigeria.

And finally, in the chapter four, the researcher decided to access multi- party system and democratic consolidation. Here, the assessment was simply based on understanding the viability of multi-parties in Nigeria. The chapter engaged properly in critical question in relation to Nigeria‟s quest for political stability. Furthermore, in this particular chapter, the researcher explained political parties as building blocks of democratic consolidation. And after that, decided to compare a democratic role of a multi-party system and that of multi-party system of Nigeria, the researcher therefore, found out that multi- political parties in Nigeria have not really discovered their roles in democratic sustenance and integration. Over the years, what became apparent in the Nigeria political parties was simply lack of proper organization and perhaps, clearly the perception of what a multi-party system should be. Indeed, as records of intra and inter-party show both in their methods and practices, that multi-party have contributed immensely to the crisis that engulf the political system in Nigeria. It is worthy to note that, electoral processes in Nigeria have historically been marred by a lot of difficulties, instabilities and irregularities as a result of the nature of multi- party politics, starting from first republic, down to our present fourth republic. Infact, political parties in Nigeria have not yet, come to realize their objectives and roles in democratic consolidation and democratic sustenance. There is no need to accuse the party system itself, but rather the people that operate the parties.

In a nutshell, the researcher stated again that, there is no relationship between multi-party system and democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Yet notwithstanding that, there have been various attempts to regulate the nature and activities of multi-parties in Nigeria, especially activities during elections. Under section 129 of amended Electoral Act 2011, it stated clearly what can actually constitute an offence during elections.

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 democratic sustenance 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 bestinterest 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
The way political parties are constituted and legitimized have bearingon 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 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. Two- party 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 Such examples should be emulated by Nigeria for stability and growth.
Political parties should be funded by contributions from party 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 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 democratic sustenance.

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