An Assessment of the Implications of Intra-Party Conflicts on Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic (1999-2016)
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Political Science
Abstract
Political parties the world over are seen as one of the instruments through which democratic processes are carried out. Their importance in establishing and maintaining a stable democratic order cannot be overemphasized. However, since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999 political parties have failed to perform their fundamental role of democratic consolidation religiously. This is not unconnected with the fragile inter and intra-party relations and incessant conflicts of varied magnitude. The main objective of the study is to assess how intra-party conflicts have been affecting political parties in contributing to the task of democratic consolidation in Nigeria's fourth Republic. This study examines the causes of intra-party conflicts in Nigeria and their implications on democratic consolidation in the Fourth Republic. In this study, comparative cum historical method serves as the research methodology Findings of this research work reveal that factors such as; lack of internal democracy, paucity of party ideology, godfatherism, issues relating to candidates' selection, among others, are the causes of intra-party conflicts in Nigeria. The study 't5CfuulIy reveals that intra-party conflicts have impacted negatively on the quest for democratic consolidation in Nigeria in a number of ways which include; proliferation of weak political parties, creation of civil unrest and electoral related violence. Based on its findings, the study recommends that political party should adhere to the principles of internal democracy: embrace certain political ideology; and play down the importance of godfather ism in its internal democracy.
Description
Keywords
Intra-Party Conflict, Political Party, Democracy, Democratic Consolidation