‘Lack of internal party democracy responsible for Nigeria’s unstable polity’

Acting Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Jonathan Juma has identified lack of internal democracy within political parties as the major reason for incessant frictions and instability in the Nigerian polity.

Juma stated this at a retreat on “Strengthening Internal Party Democracy in Nigeria: Policy Options,” organized by the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre (PPLPDC) at the NIPSS, Kuru Plateau State.

He also blamed the factor for the challenges being faced by oversight institutions especially election management bodies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The NIPSS boss stated that political parties bridge the gap between the electorate and the electoral process and serve as link between the state and the people.

He explained further that his postulation explained the convergence of views that a strong and sustainable democracy is dependent on functional and vibrant party structures.

According to him, “If the role must be beneficiary to the people in the democratic process, they must be played within the dictates and ambiance of the principles of internal party democracy.

“This is because on the one hand, internal party democracy reflects the degree of institutionalization, inclusiveness and decentralization in party structures and politics. On the other hand, it indicates the extent to which internal party decision are formalized and internalized.”

Juma further explained that internal democracy ensures that the procedures of doing things within the party are clearly known to members and applied consistently to the people. It is centered on principles conceived to embrace the idea that all stakeholders should be part of the decision making process.

The NIPSS boss who said the practice in the Fourth Republic negated the principle of internal democracy stated that “it has been the existence of political platforms whose structures and machineries are controlled and run by godfathers resulting in the existence of parties that are characterized by lack of inclusiveness and absence of internal party democracy.

“The absence of internal party democracy in Nigeria is linked to the internal turmoil and revolt a number of parties are experiencing, such as the rebellion witnessed in the PDP in the build up to the 2015 general elections. It is also linked to the challenges faced by oversight bodies.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Country Director, International Republican Institute, Mr. Sentel Barnes, said expansion in political space and intensity of electoral competition in Nigeria has not coincided with the improvement in the internal process of political parties, adding that this has contributed to the weakening of party structures and reduce public perception about the inability of political parties to represent their interest and create stability in the polity.”