AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF INTRA-PARTY CONFLICTS ON DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIATION IN NIGERIA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC (1999-2016)
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Date
2017-09-23
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Journal of Political Inquiry, Department of Political Science, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano-Nigeria
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 demo critic 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 equally 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 godfatherism in its internal
democracy
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