X-Raying the Dynamics of Political Parties on Democratic Process in Nigeria

Abstract

In any given society, political parties are the sine qua non to the practice of modern democracy, because it involves people's participation in governance and this participation is attained through involvement in the activities of political parties. This paper examines the role the political parties have played in entrenching democratic values into the Nigeria political system. The paper assesses the process of democratization especially with regards to the political system. The paper uses qualitative research design as a method of gathering data from the secondary sources. The study concludes that there exist negative relationships between the research findings with the first assumption which states that political parties in Nigeria have effectively enhanced the democratization process. Finally, the study highlights the following recommendations: adoption of two-party systems in Nigeria to achieve democratization in order to avoid a political party identifying itself only with a particular ethnic group; massive mobilization and political education of the Nigerians for a societal re-orientation; and integration of the country as one that is devoid of ethnocentrism and particularism. Finally, the study contends that the implementation of these recommendations would assist in ensuring democratization in the political system in Nigeria..