The Effect of Intra-Party Conflict Management Mechanism on Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Abstract

This paper assessed intraparty conflict management mechanisms on democratic consolidation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic with the help of secondary data. It identified the following issues as contending factors in Nigerian formative democracy. Intra-party turbulence arising from imposition of candidates, patron-client politics, lack of frequent party meetings, corruption and so on, have given negative image to Nigerian politicians and the country in general. The few high-ups in the hierarchy determine winners and losers at the expense of their party’s cohesion. The political environment ever since 1999 still is very much in a confused state, thus service to the people is thrown to the winds. It is out of the confusion that some of the politicians were catapulted into office and it is the reason their behaviour is so anathematic since their loyalty is automatically owed to those who engineered their ascent. Therefore any attempt to confront Nigerians on good and practical democracy is derided with the popularly cynical rhetorical question – “na democracy we go chop? confirming the above on the lacklustre attitude that Nigeria is still a contested terrain of conflicting identities even after five decades of independence and a still longer period of being one political entity. Possibly some of Nigerian elites think of themselves primarily as Nigerians and place their Nigerian identity above all other identities. But many more are ambivalent about what their primary identity should be. And even more place their Nigerian identity below their local community, nation or ethnic group. However, the piece concluded that due to lack of clear-cut political platform and distinctive ideology, these and among others have made Nigerian political parties to have a far-lesser conflict management mechanism that are been driven by primordial interests. It therefore recommend an overhaul of the Nigerian legal system, a six regional semi-strong government whereby each regions cultivate her local products, manage her natural resources and give 10% to 15% to the central government for the purpose of coordination and this will go a long way in bridging conflict holistically and making the centre less attractive and strong. All other methods of conflict management will be strengthened and will be achievable through the above recommendation.

Keywords: Conflict, Conflict management, Political parties, Intra/inter party conflict