The Role of Political Parties in Democratic Governance in Nigeria: a Case Study of PDP: 1999-2007
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of The Study
The purpose of the study is to highlight the role of political parties in democratic government with the ruling PDP as a case study (1999- 2007).
The study will critically analyze the issues as follows:
- To examine the circumstance leading to the formation of political party and its impact on internal democracy of the party
- To examine the programmes of the party with a view of establishing their relevance to democratic
- To determine whether these programmes and policies were implemented with a view to enhance democratic
Chapter Two
Emergence of Political Parties in Nigeria
Historical Overview
Political system is often affected by unique historical circumstances and so are political parties. For us to fully grasp the principle of political parties, we shall take a look at the ancient Greek city state.
In the ancient Greek city state, the people appreciated the fact that democracy as a form of government involves the entire people. In modern times there is no way the whole people could be involved at the same time in running state craft. The option to approach this problem is therefore, a representative government where people can elect their representatives. To do this, the people formed themselves into groups according to their views on how best to run the state under the platform of modern political parties.
Rodes et al (1983) notes that the historic root of the party is hinged upon the struggle for the legislature, especially in Europe, to limit the power of the monarchy and expand the electoral base of the people in recognition of their interest. But it is worthy to note that every nation has a peculiar major especially in the 17th and 18th century England and indigenous political experience of the colonialist was said to be origin of political parties in the united state of America.
The development of anti colonialist and nationalist struggle and in particular the constitutional reforms prompted and fueled the early formation of political party in Nigeria. Herbert Macaulay one of the foremost Nigerian nationalists formed the first ever political party, the Nigerian national democratic party (NNDP) following the constitutional changes introduced by the Clifford constitution of 1922. The constitution introduced the elective principles into four legislative seats in the colony of southern protectorate of Nigeria ( 3 from Lagos and 1 from calabar). The NNDP was not national in it outlook its activities were confined to the Lagos area until the emergence of the Nigeria youth movement (NYM). In 1937, the NNDP contested and won election into the Lagos municipal council and the three Lagos elective seats. It also won all elective seats In the Lagos municipal council election of 1943. The strength or advantage of the NYM over the NNDP was its more national spread in terms of membership. The prominent members of the NYM included chief H.O Davies , Ernest Okoli, dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, chief obafemi awolowo, Samuel Akinsaya, and chief Akintola. However, the strength of NYM declined following the introduction of ethnic and tribal sentiment sequel to the disagreement between Awolowo and Azikwe over appointment. This disagreement led to resignation annulled exit of Azikiwe and other igbos from the parties leaving the movement to more or less Yoruba affairs (Okhaide 1995)
Ront Nigerians and Cameroon [NCNC]. The colonial government for greater participation of the people of the various parts of Nigeria in their own governance. The constitutional changes, which liberalized the political space for Nigerians between 1946 and 1950, paved way for the emergence of other political parties such as the Action group [AG], northern elements progressive union [NEPU] and the northern people’s congress[NPC] in 1951. Like the NCNC, AG and the NPC grew out of ethno-religious and cultural associations, the Egbe Omo Oduduwa formed the AG, while the Jamiyya Mutanem Arewa formed both the NEPU and NPC [Ikeligbe 1996; 130-136].
Chapter Three
Internal Democracy Role of The PDP
Candidate’s Selection/Recruitment Procedures.
Candidate selection which is synonymous with political recruitment is one of the important functions of political parties for all democracies in fact, many scholars define a political party in terms of this function (Schlesinger, 1991).
Kartz (2001:277) notes that candidate selection is a vital activity in the life of any political party. It is the primary screening device in the process through which the party officers and aspirants are produced. The method which a party employs in candidate selection has incontrovertible implications on those selected or elected and indeed how they behave in either party or public office (Gallagher and marsh, 1988; mainwaning and shugart 1997). Importantly, katz (1995) argues that the technique of a party’s candidate selection explains and provides adequate information on how the party functions internally and the location of political power in a particular country.
Methods of candidates selections include primaries (either restricted to the party caucuses only or extended to ordinary party members), internal party elections, centralization, consensus etc. the differences in candidates selection procedures among parties is explained partly by the nature of a political party, partly by national laws, intra-party decision making and the electoral fortunes of parties (penning and Hasan 2001:269). However, the extent to which parties democratize their candidate selection procedures, despite its generic importance depends on the national laws and internal party rules, as well as the extent to which party leaders adhere to these laws.
Chapter Four
The Role of The PDP in Governance
In the literature of political science, governance has been regarded as a nebulous, ambiguous and vague. In this discourse, we have adopted Dozie‟s definition of the term. Governance according to Dozie (1999), relates to the totality of processes entailed in the exercise and management of the collective will of a people or group under a defined authority or constitution. Governance is not only concerned with political activities and institutions such as economy, family, and other human congregations. Thus, governance can be regarded as the provision of leadership throughout a given society for the actualization of common good.
Governance is synonymous with good government. For purpose of contemporary relevance governance needs to be qualified good (Hyden 1999). Good governance is measure in terms of certain attributes such as popular participation, transparency, accountability, effectiveness, equality, respect for the rule of law, political stability, peace and security of lives and properties, economic self-dependency, and social welfare system. Governance is also expected to provide the mechanisms, processes and institutions for citizens and group to articulate their interests, exercise their rights, meet their obligations, and mediate their differences (Akande, 2004:11). Some of the major elements of good governance include the following:
Participation: involvement of stakeholders in priority setting, policy-making and resource allocation as well as access to public goods and services.
Equity and Fairness: application of rules in equitable manner to all irrespective of one‟s‟ class or caste.
Transparency: clarity of public decision and openness to scrutiny of citizens.
Decency or Respect for the Rule of Law: enactment and administration of rules without compromising the people.
Accountability: to hold rulers answerable for their action or inaction and depending on the answer to be subjected to potential sanction both positive and negative.
Efficiency and Effectiveness: transacting public business in a manner that produces reasonable and sustainable development in the state. according to the PDP manifestos no 3.i-iv and number 4.i- iv states that:
At the root of Nigeria’s political and social problems is poverty and low access to economic opportunities. The improvement in the well-being of Nigerians is the ultimate objective of the PDP’s economic policy, and makes accessible to every Nigerian the basic needs of life. The focus would be to create a market- based economy driven by small and medium scale businesses and regulated by a reformed public sector.
Chapter Five
Summary of Findings, Conclusion and Recommendation
Summary of Findings
This work represents an attempt to evaluate the roles of political parties in democratic governance of Nigeria with main emphasis on the People‟s Democratic party from 1999-2007.
Based on the foregoing assessment on the role of PDP in democratic governance. It has been clearly established that the PDP between 1999 and 2007 against all hopes and expectations performed dismally low in promoting democratic governance. Several factors can be ascribed to the poor performance of the PDP in government. First is the issue of internal democracy. The issue of internal democracy has become a major challenge since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999. Its absence was identified as one of the major banes of democratic deepening by the justice Uwais Electoral Reforms Committee. Virtually all significant parties in Nigeria today failed to conduct meaningful primaries. Consensus has become the means through which internal party democracy is trounced. Where the powerful leaders of a party do not agree on a candidate, multiple primaries are conducted by various factions of a party. In many instances, the resultant disagreement ends up in the court for adjudication. The highest point of legal disputes over such imposition of candidates was the case of Rotimi Amaechi vs the PDP. Amaechi, who won the 2007 primaries, was not allowed to stand as a candidate of the pdp in April 14, 2007 gubernatorial election in river state. Although, Amaechi name was presented to the independent electoral commission (INEC) as the PDP candidate, his name was latter substituted with that of Celestine Omehia because his candidacy was said to have been undermined by allegations made by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) against him. Celestine Omehia contested and won the election as PDP gubernatorial candidate. However, in a twist of irony in that case, the Supreme Court voided the election of Celestine Omehia and declared Rotimi Amaechi as the elected governor of rivers state.
Another factor is the problem of Godfatherism. Godfathers are political financiers who raise money fund to sponsor candidates (political godsons) for the state executive and legislative elective positions based on agreement and perceived loyalty. In return, the godson promises loyalty, enormous powers, influence in the running of the state, contracts, money, allocation of resources, amenities, employment, appointments etc in favour of the godfathers. The practice of Godfatherism smacks of political criminality and subverts the values of democracy and good governance (Obia 2004: C6). It also results in the enthronement and retention of criminals, mid-night rascals and mediocre in governance. It also encourages the political office holders (godsons) to be little concerned with of the values of good governance such as transparency and accountability. Thus, it encourages brazen rascality and irresponsibility on the part of political office holders to mobilize and use the resources of the state to serve the interest of select few in the society. A case in point is the case of governor Ngige of Anambra state (godson) and Chris Uba (godfather). Also is the case of chief tony Anine (godfather) and James Ibori (godson).
Another factor that contributed to the poor performance of the PDP in governance is widespread corruption. In spite of the declaration of Obasanjo to have zero tolerance for corruption and the subsequent enactment of anti- corruption agencies, corruption during his administration has been pervasive. Many of the elected officials have been accused of various dimensions of corruption ranging from embezzlement to misappropriation of public funds without caring for rules of accountability and transparency. The anti-corruption agencies themselves have been suborned as instruments of fighting perceived political enemies while loyalists were sacred cows that must not be touched.
Lack of party discipline is also a contributory factor to the failure of the PDP in governance. Lack of discipline in the PDP manifests in official wrangling, accusation and counter accusations, washing of dirty linen in the press, litigation, decamping, carpet crossing, and use of arm tactics. A team of undisciplined personnel cannot promote stability and good governance.
Another explanation for the failure of the PDP in governance is executive lawlessness. The chief executives at the various levels of government were infused with the governing and supreme power of the party. Thus, increased their tendency for the abuse of office.
Conclusion
This paper in the context of the contention of the group theory that the set goals and objectives of organizational constitute the basis for passing judgment on the standard performance examined in the ruling PDP and governance in Nigeria since 1999. It established that the PDP has demonstrated incompetence in nurturing the values of democracy and governance. The PDP impairs the fundamental elements of democracy and good governance through its inability to promote equality, popular participation in recruitment of party aspirant, accountability, transparency, and respect rule of law. Although the programmes and goals of the PDP are quite laudable, the party has not been able to systematically pursue and realize them. The PDP has been relentlessly bogged down by internal wrangling, squabbles, mutual distrust, open antagonism, vindictive war, washing of dirty linen in the public, and intolerance for opposition parties with little or no energy, time and resources left to pursue its programmes and objectives Thus, there has been the disconnection between its policies and politics. Rather than pursue common interest, the party was beholden to the interest of select few. This style of politics and governance has led to mounting mass disillusionment and discontentment with the government. In fact more than ever the people were increasingly alienated from the Nigerian state due to its rapid decline in capacity, legitimacy and relevance in promoting genuine development and sense of security among the teeming populace.
Recommendations
Arising from the above one might pose the question, what then is to be done for democracy and good governance to thrive under PDP especially as it is remaining in power in the next four years having secured controversial mandate in the just concluded 2007 general elections. First, the party must develop a mass based, oriented and directed approach. Politics is the struggle for power and power in democracy and as proclaimed in the slogan of the PDP belongs to the people. It is not enough therefore to say power belongs to the people when in reality power belongs to only a pocket of individuals.
Secondly, there has to be unity of command in the party leadership. Disciplinary actions must be taking against individuals or groups for actions contrary to the party ideology.
Thirdly, the leadership of the party must be involved in policy articulation and policymaking and implementation in order to keep its government at various levels to the objectives of the party.
Fourthly, we suggest the adoption of a two party system in the country to ensure effective and vibrant opposition to the PDP in subsequent general elections. The multi-party system as we are currently operating cannot guarantee the kind of effective and vibrant opposition required to put the PDP on its toes. The opposition parties should be strong enough to mobilize the electorates to defend their votes and prevent massive rigging.
Finally, the members of the PDP must learn to develop the spirit of sportsmanship in politics. Life is a game of give and take. The game of politics should not be regarded as do or die battle. As the saying goes he who fights and run away lives to fight another day. But if one fights and destroys others their ghost would forever haunt him. Thus, the spirit of sportsmanship is a major way to curb indiscipline and enhance elements of democracy and good governance
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