PARTY DOMINANCE AND DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA (A STUDY OF PEOPES DEMOCRACTIC PARTY PDP)

ABSTRACT The study focused on the political party nomination and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. a case study of APC. The study was guided by the following research objectives: What is the effect of political party on nomination of candidate for political posts; What is the influence of wrong flag bearer of the party on the decision of the people to vote for the party in an election; What is the connection between nomination of candidate by political parties and the sustenance of democracy; What are the possible ways of improving the process of political party nomination in sustaining democracy. The study employed qualitative research design. Interview, focused group discussion and documentary were employed in data collection. The results showed that nominations in political party go a long way to affect the decision of the people and in turn affect the sustenance of democracy. With heavy reliance on secondary data supported by analytical approach, the paper x rayed the role of political parties in the democratic consolidation of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. The climax of the analysis is the identified challenges plaguing democratic consolidation since the commencement of the fourth republic i.e.: Lack of institutionalization and personalization of political parties; Godfatherism; Absence of internal democracy within the political parties and incessant party/political violence. The party system in Nigeria is still weak and vulnerable with no visible signs of adding value to the democratic consolidation. It is recommended that issues of organizational capacity, effective leadership, internal democracy, discipline, institutionalization and personalization, ideological platforms of mobilization and linkage to civil society and the masses should be addressed.