EXPLORING NIGERIAN POLITICAL PARTIES IN DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF KANAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLATEAU STATE, 2019-2023

The study examined Exploring Nigerian political parties in democratic development: an Analysis of Kanam Local Government Plateau State, 2019-2023. The oldest parties, the Nigeria National Democratic Party and the Nigerian Youth Movement, emerged from nationalist movements in colonial Nigeria and viewed participation in the colonial legislative body as a pathway to greater autonomy for the territory. Against the study between three objectives are to find out the impact of political party in consolidating democracy in Kanam, Nigeria, to explore the challenges of Democratic Consolidation in Kanam, Nigeria and to proffer solutions to the challenges of political party consolidation in Kanam, Nigeria. The study employed the application of elite theory. The methodology employed by this study is qualitative method i.e semi-structured interviewed was used for this study. The study found that lack of Institutionalization and Personalization of Political Parties, Godfatherism, high level of factionalization, economic mismanagement and corruption, lack of internal democracy are the major challenges affecting democratic consolidation in Nigeria’s fourth Republic. Based on the findings the study the study suggests following the rules, keeping people safe, protecting their rights, and respecting everyone's basic freedoms. This will help make democracy in Nigeria stronger. Based on the findings the study recommended that political parties should practice internal democracy within their structure and how they function, especially when it comes to selecting candidates within the party and for elections. Members of political parties should subject themselves to their party’s constitution.