EXPLORING NIGERIAN POLITICAL PARTIES IN A DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF TAFAWA BALEWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, 2019-2023

ABSTRACT The study explored Nigerian Political Parties in a Democratic Development: An Analysis of Tafawa Balewa Local Government, 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 Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State, Nigeria, to explore the challenges of Democratic Development in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State, Nigeria and to proffer solutions to the challenges of political party Development in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State, 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 Development 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.