An Article by Ajibola Oladiipo, 2025 EPLF Fellow
The strength of any democracy rests on the integrity of its political parties. In Nigeria, the crisis of electoral credibility often begins at the level of party primaries. These contests should showcase transparency and merit but have become theatres of manipulation, exclusion, and monetization. My central hypothesis is simple: if Nigeria fixes its political parties by enforcing ideology and internal democracy, democratic consolidation will follow. Robert Michels’ Iron Law of Oligarchy reminds us that without checks, party elites will dominate and undermine grassroots participation.
A functioning democracy requires parties with coherent ideologies to guide candidate selection and policy. Our parties lack such anchors. The fluid movement of politicians between the APC, PDP, ADC, and SDP is full-proof of this vacuum. By contrast, Ghana’s NPP and NDC maintain clearer ideological traditions, while U.S. primaries involve broader voter participation, showing that stronger party identity and openness are possible. Without ideological compass, Nigerian primaries become contests of ambition and financial muscle, eroding trust and reducing elections to bidding wars rather than contests of ideas.
Although party constitutions outline procedures for primaries, membership rights, and dispute resolution, these rules are often ignored. Inconsistent zoning arrangements and consensus candidacies reveal a pattern of elite manipulation. INEC reported over 800 pre-election cases from primaries in 2019, and by November 2022, 600 disputes. Disregard for process fuels factionalism and weakens the legitimacy of general elections.
True internal democracy thrives on empowered membership. Yet most parties operate opaque registers plagued by ghost members and manipulation. Instead of broad participation, primaries are controlled by a few (delegates), many handpicked or financially induced. This disconnect alienates ordinary members and concentrates power in elites. While indirect primaries are valid, outcomes should reflect party values. In 2023, Afrobarometer found fewer than 30% of Nigerians trust parties, underscoring how internal failings fuel cynicism.
Primaries should elevate competent candidates with popular support. Instead, dollarized primaries where delegates openly sold votes illustrate the scale of the problem. The fallout is severe: imposed candidates trigger defections, court battles, and voter apathy. Defenders of consensus argue it reduces intra-party conflict and cost, yet in practice it entrenches elite capture and weakens legitimacy.
Party financing remains the root of this capture. Campaigns and primaries are prohibitively expensive, shutting out women, youth, and candidates without wealthy sponsors. Costs can reach hundreds of millions of naira, revolving around patronage and inducement. As a result, elections appear to many Nigerians less like democratic exercises and more like financial transactions.
The credibility of Nigeria’s elections cannot rise above the credibility of our parties. To strengthen democracy, reforms must begin within party structures. INEC should mandate digital membership registers to curb ghost entries. Public financing and spending caps can moderate money’s influence. Gender and youth quotas should broaden representation, while sanctions must be imposed on parties that flout constitutions.
Fixing Nigeria’s parties is the foundation for consolidating its democracy. When we do so, elections can reflect real choice and accountability. If we fail, they will remain hollow rituals devoid of legitimacy.
Kindly note that these are all thoughts from our fellows
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