Our political parties not democratic enough, says retired colonel

The Director of Research at Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy, and Development, Abdulwahab Lawal, has warned that the lack of internal democracy within Nigerian political parties could eventually lead to dictatorial leadership.

According to the retired Nigerian Army Colonel, the absence of democratic culture in political parties is an aberration to democracy itself.

Lawal, in an interview with journalists in Ilorin, described the nation’s democracy as “a hybrid with a fusion of dictatorship.”

Describing democracy as the best option for Nigeria, he said:

“Democracy itself simply means inclusion, where whatever affects you, you must be consulted in the decision-making process, and you must be carried along—not a system where decisions are imposed on people.

“But in our country, I think our variant is more of hybridity—hybrid democracy. Democracy in a way that there is too much dictatorship in it.

“Our political parties should be managed in a democratic manner. But as it is today, even our political parties are not very democratic. They are dictatorial, and it is an aberration to democracy.

“When we talk about real democracy, it must be free, and there must be no imposition. You must engage in good governance, which simply refers to transparency, openness, integrity, accountability, and the rule of law,” he stressed.

Lawal stated that the lingering insurgency in the country can only be resolved through the optimization of good governance rather than relying solely on force.

He urged the government to prioritize the basic needs of the people, such as food and security, adding that the application of force alone cannot end insecurity in the country.

Lawal also noted that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has provided a N100 million take-off fund for the Kwara Education Trust Fund, describing it as a “kind and good gesture.”

He expressed optimism that the governor will elevate the standard of education in the state, urging citizens to support him in this endeavour.