Political Parties are one of the fundamentals of Democratic governance, and it’s been adjudged the best form of government that allows equal opportunities for participation and representation all over the world. In 1999, Nigeria kick-started the journey of the Fourth Republic of democratic governance uninterrupted in the case of other civilized democracies of the world. Consequently, this work examined the conflicts in political parties and its challenges on governance in the country.
The study adopted the descriptive approach of analysis, and made of the strategic conflict theory, the study observed that a strong and stable political party under the rule of law will guarantee good governance, accountability transparency and many more under the law. This study further observed that the political parties in Nigeria have moved some steps forward, a lot needs to be done in the areas of incessant defections/ party switching/ cross carpeting of party members from one party to another. The work also observed that the political parties need to separate party leadership from governmental leadership; the two cannot be under the leadership of one elected government official in the name of party leader. This is the result of constant conflict in the struggle to control the headship of a political party between elected officials who may have abandoned governance and other party big wigs that leads to incessant defections by those who lost out of the struggle. The study concludes that for democracy to be fully functional in Nigeria, the political parties must strengthen the party institutions and make elected leaders answerable to the party, by this act the party will remain supreme and its ideologies and manifestos must be carried out to the latter by elected representatives at all levels of governance.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Theoretical Approach
- Concept of Conflict
- Party Politics/Interest
- Political Parties and Godfatherism in Nigeria
- Defection/Party Switching/Cross Carpeting
- Governance
- Conclusion
- References
Objectives and Key Themes
This work examines conflicts within Nigerian political parties and their impact on governance. It analyzes the challenges posed by party switching, the blurred lines between party and governmental leadership, and the overall instability within the party system. The study aims to understand how these internal conflicts hinder good governance, accountability, and transparency.
- Internal Conflicts within Nigerian Political Parties
- The Impact of Party Switching and Defections on Governance
- The Relationship between Party Leadership and Governmental Leadership
- The Role of Political Parties in Promoting or Hindering Good Governance
- The Influence of Godfatherism on Party Politics
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by presenting the case of Peter Obi's reinstatement as governor of Anambra State, highlighting the instability within the Nigerian political system. It discusses the need for strong institutions rather than strong individuals and the importance of a functioning criminal justice system. The chapter also touches on the prevalence of conflict before, during, and after elections, suggesting the need for electoral reforms to improve transparency and reduce fraud. It introduces the frequent defections from one party to another, highlighting the lack of ideological grounding in Nigerian party politics and the role of personal gain in these shifts. Examples of such defections, involving prominent figures and parties, are provided to illustrate the problem. The overall theme establishes the pervasiveness of conflict and its detrimental effects on the governance of Nigeria.
Theoretical Approach: This chapter introduces Karl Marx's Strategic Conflict Theory as the theoretical framework for the study. The theory posits that societal conflict stems from competition for scarce resources and that power dynamics maintain social order. The application of this theory to Nigerian political parties centers on the struggle for control over party structures, access to decision-making, and the nomination of candidates. The importance of citizen understanding of the political system and the role of informed participation in influencing government actions are also discussed, connecting to the need for a stable and transparent political environment.
Concept of Conflict: This chapter delves into various definitions and perspectives on conflict. It explores different understandings of conflict resolution, ranging from compromises and settlements to the transformation of political problems into economic transactions. The chapter emphasizes the complexities of conflict stemming from clashes of personality, community disputes, and the competition for resources, power, and status. It lays the groundwork for understanding the multi-faceted nature of conflict within the context of Nigerian party politics, establishing a theoretical basis for analyzing the multifaceted issues at hand.
Party Politics/Interest: [This section lacks sufficient information in the provided text to write a comprehensive 75-word summary.]
Political Parties and Godfatherism in Nigeria: [This section lacks sufficient information in the provided text to write a comprehensive 75-word summary.]
Defection/Party Switching/Cross Carpeting: This chapter extensively examines the phenomenon of party switching in Nigeria. It highlights how defections are often driven by personal gain rather than ideological commitment. The chapter analyzes the unequal relationships created by the current party system, where defectors sometimes enjoy privileges over long-standing members, potentially leading to conflict. The researcher argues for stricter party constitutions to curb incessant defections and reduce intra-party conflicts by eliminating the 'escape route' of switching parties after internal power struggles.
Keywords
Nigerian politics, party conflict, governance, defection, party switching, godfatherism, electoral reform, strategic conflict theory, political instability, accountability, transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Conflicts within Nigerian Political Parties
What is the main focus of this academic text?
This text analyzes conflicts within Nigerian political parties and their impact on governance. It examines the challenges posed by party switching, the relationship between party and governmental leadership, and the overall instability within the Nigerian party system. The central theme is how internal party conflicts hinder good governance, accountability, and transparency.
What is the theoretical framework used in this study?
The study utilizes Karl Marx's Strategic Conflict Theory. This theory posits that societal conflict arises from competition for scarce resources, and power dynamics maintain social order. In the context of Nigerian politics, this translates to the struggle for control over party structures, access to decision-making, and candidate nominations.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include internal conflicts within Nigerian political parties, the impact of party switching and defections on governance, the relationship between party and governmental leadership, the role of political parties in promoting or hindering good governance, and the influence of godfatherism on party politics.
What are some specific examples of conflict discussed in the text?
The text uses the example of Peter Obi's reinstatement as governor of Anambra State to illustrate the instability within the Nigerian political system. It also discusses the prevalence of conflict before, during, and after elections, and the frequent defections from one party to another, highlighting the lack of ideological grounding in Nigerian party politics.
How does the text define and analyze conflict?
The text explores various definitions and perspectives on conflict, including conflict resolution approaches ranging from compromises and settlements to the transformation of political problems into economic transactions. It emphasizes the multifaceted nature of conflict stemming from personality clashes, community disputes, and competition for resources, power, and status.
What is the significance of party switching or defection in the Nigerian context?
The text extensively examines party switching, highlighting its frequent motivation by personal gain rather than ideological commitment. It analyzes the unequal relationships created by this practice, where defectors sometimes gain privileges over long-standing members. The study suggests stricter party constitutions to curb these defections and reduce intra-party conflict.
What are the suggested solutions or recommendations implied in the text?
The text implies a need for electoral reforms to improve transparency and reduce fraud, stronger institutions rather than individuals, a functioning criminal justice system, and stricter party constitutions to curb defections. It also emphasizes the importance of citizen understanding of the political system and informed participation.
What are the keywords associated with this study?
Keywords include Nigerian politics, party conflict, governance, defection, party switching, godfatherism, electoral reform, strategic conflict theory, political instability, accountability, and transparency.
What is included in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes an abstract, introduction, theoretical approach, concept of conflict, party politics/interest, political parties and godfatherism in Nigeria, defection/party switching/cross carpeting, governance, conclusion, and references.
- Quote paper
- Benjamin Ibietonye (Author), 2021, Conflict of Party Politics and Challenges of Governance in Nigeria. An Overview Since the Start of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1010149
