Internal party democracy and candidate selection in Nigeria: A review of the 2018 All Progressives Congress’s primary elections.
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Date
2019
Authors
ADEBIYI, Oluwashina Moruf
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Publisher
Nigerian Political Science Association
Abstract
Since the commencement of the Fourth Republic, the process of selecting candidates has always been a source of conflict for political parties. This cannot be unconnected with the fact that their primary elections are in most cases devoid of democratic ethos. This has adverse effects on stability of political parties and democratization process. It is on this basis, that, this paper derived its twin objectives. Firstly, the paper undertakes a conceptual and theoretical exposition of internal party democracy cum candidate selection. Second, it reviewed some primary elections held by the All Progressives Congress so as to determine the extent of its adherence to principles of internal democracy. Adopting the qualitative research method in which data were largely derived from secondary sources particularly through relevant journal articles, textbooks, government publications, newspapers and magazines, it was discovered that the process of candidate selection within the APC was largely tainted by conflicts and intrigues largely due to perceived disregard for laid down rules guiding the conduct of primary elections. The paper however concluded with recommendations on how to foster internal party democracy as it relates to candidate selection so as to boost stability of political party and democracy in Nigeria.
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Citation
10. Adebiyi, O.M. (2019). Internal party democracy and candidate selection in Nigeria: A review of the 2018 All Progressives Congress’s primary elections. Studies in Politics and Society, 7. A Journal Publication of the Nigeria Political Science Association.