Understanding the Thrust of the Group Theory and Its Applicability to Contemporary Party Politics in Nigeria

Abstract

The buildup to the 2015 general elections in Nigeria was characterized by fierce contestations among political parties, polarized by lack of intra and inter party democracy, godfatherism, and ethnicity and religion. This paper examined the thrust of the group theory and its applicability to the party politics in Nigeria; bearing in mind the state of unhealthy and war-like contestations among political parties as groups, in competing against each other for political power.  Combining the philosophy of the Group theory with historical method of data collection and analysis, the paper discovered that the Group theory offers a framework of dynamic but healthy competition for acquiring political power; which politicians’ share greed, have misunderstood to be politics of “do-or die”. The paper among other things, recommend an effective re-orientation of politicians and party members to see groups (Political Parties) as partners in progress whose political competition must be seen as shared interest in pursuit of the general good of the society.

Keywords: Political Party, Group Theory, Party Politics, Societal Dynamics and development.