Covenant University Journal of Politics & Internationall Affairs. Vol. 5, No.1, June, 2017

An Open Access Journal - Available Online

Party Primaries, Candidate Selection and Intra-Party Conflict in : PDP in Perspective

Muinat Adetayo Adekeye

Kwara State University, Malete [email protected]

Abstract: This paper underscores the interplay among party primaries, candidate selection and intra-party conflicts in the People‟s Democratic Party (PDP). It employs the theoretical explanations of the Group Conflict Theory which posits that conflicts within groups are borne out of incompatible interests catalyzed by selfish nature of individuals. Findings from the qualitative analysis signifies that while institutional structures have been enacted to avert conflicts within the party, non-adherence to the dictates of such structures have birthed a wide range of internal conflicts within the party, thus resulting to cases of defection, factionalization, proliferation of political parties, unconstitutional change of party leaders and most importantly, the defeat of the party in 2015 general elections. It was recommended that effective restructuring of internal laws and polices within PDP, establishment of punitive measure and the practice of transparency by the INEC would ensure good governance in Nigeria. Keywords: Political Party, Party Primaries, Candidate Selection, People‟s Democratic Party, Nigeria.

Introduction democracy in the context of political It is incontestable that political parties parties; Agudiegwu and Ezeani (2015 have remained vital and indispensible p.105) emphasized that “the strength tools in institutionalizing democracy in and effectiveness of political parties is most democratic polities in the world directly proportional to the degree of today. Arising from the catalytic feature resilience democracy enjoy”, Omotola of political parties, they serve an (2009) similarly opined that political intermediate role in democratic societies parties are makers of democracy such by acting as a connecting cord between that no democratic settings can exist the government and the people, thereby without them. From these, it is therefore ensuring all tenets of democracy are a truism that political parties pose as an upheld in the country. This justifies the instrumental paddle of democratic reason why most literatures explain foundations, which employs diverse 22

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processes in ensuring such democratic And as Odibachi (2010) rightly asserted structures are guarded and protected. In that what exists within them can only be line with this, they are thus institutions equated to battles such that party politics which sponsor a wide range of aspiring has exhibited more crisis than cohesion political office holders through a formal for national development and that and constitutional process, setting them virtually all the political parties have aside as the parties‟ official candidates. been perpetually enmeshed in conflicts

In relation, the selection of viable and owing to lack of internal democracy and competent candidates is most imposition of party candidates and party importantly and firstly done through the leadership. organization of primary elections which Amidst such, the People‟s Democratic is a type of poll organized before the Party (PDP) maintained the front burner general elections for the purpose of in the perpetration of internal crisis nominating a party‟s candidates for a resulting from selection of candidates political office (Keithly, 2012), thus through party primaries. Aniche and making it a relevant activity in ensuring Egboh (2015) maintained that no that internal democracy of the party is political party has been bedeviled by properly upheld. This is because, not internal conflict like the People‟s only does it create room for political Democratic Party. Such crisis arose out position average party members, but of indiscriminate imposition of also weakens the influence of political candidates by powerful members of the elites within the party, which will party, substitution of candidates who consequently aid the institutionalization have won the primary election with of the party. In turn, institutionalization others who did not and disrupting will allow for a proper method of internal rules and regulations, which channeling social demands, and will resulted to defection of members to also help in ensuring most of the party other parties and factionalization within activities are in order. Thus, it suffices the party. Additionally, enduring crisis to posit that parties‟ survival, in the People‟s Democratic Party also effectiveness and buoyancy is largely contributed to the defeat of its 16-year anchored on its internal process of party incumbency in the 2015 general primaries and candidate selection elections. process. This inescapable situation of the

However, while the institutionalization Nigerian political parties thus creates a of party primaries and candidate need for the analysis of intra-party selection has commanded a robust conflicts in the PDP vis-à-vis its discussion at the theoretical level, it has candidate selection and party primaries enjoyed limited applicability in Nigeria in Nigeria‟s fourth republic. To do that, with the implication that political parties the paper takes a long historical view of in the country have been marred by the emergence of the party, the legal and various degrees of internal conflicts, institutional framework that undergirds squabbles and crisis with the implication its candidate selection process as well as that the internal structure of the parties some empirical cases of crisis in the are often mired in endless contestations. party arising from the candidate

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selection process. The paper further these roles is largely hinged on the explores the implications of such capability of the party to foster internal internal crises for the country at large, unity, relations, democracy and especially for the sustenance of our cohesion. nascent democracy. It finally proffers However, although these political some solutions for curbing the persistent parties theoretically befit constitutional occurrences of internal party crisis in qualities and prospects ascribed to them, Nigeria. The focus on the PDP is made enhancing internal democracy remained germane by the fact that the party a herculean task in practice; they have exercised predominant control over been bereft of proper adherence to their Nigeria‟s political landscape in the first respective constitutional party sixteen years of the Fourth Republic and structures, particularly in the process of also recorded unparalleled spate of selecting candidates and conducting its internal crises within the period. primaries. Such discrepancy has sparked

Statement of the Problem odious cases of internal conflicts among Maintenance of internal democracy, them, resulting to the enmeshment of through the process of selecting intra-party conflicts in the fabric of candidates among political parties in political parties. In the spate of this, Nigeria, particularly in the People‟s intra-party conflicts in Nigeria have Democratic Party has remained a vexed reduced political parties to a “liability issue (Akubo & Umoru, 2014). than an asset to the common man and Consequently, enhancing the democratic the system at large (Omotola, 2010 process since the launch of the fourth p.141)”. Amidst these, the People‟s democratic dispensation has also been a Democratic Party has unfortunately daunting task in the country. After remained the carrier of such odious decades long colonial rule, military rule legacies of internal crisis. Since its and epileptic democratic surge, it was establishment, it has demonstrated wide expected that the new democratic ranges of internal conflicts, thus dispensation would create an avenue for necessitating the understanding of how the maximization of democracy in the its election and selection process has country. The trend remains an overt bred internal conflicts and also the reliance on structures of political parties implications of such conflicts in Nigeria. to aid in the achievement of such Brief Review of Literature democracy; since political parties are The People’s Democratic Party: dividends and makers of democracies, it History, Nature and Formation is expected of them to not only aid in The People‟s Democratic Party has a achieving the needed democracy in the long history in Nigerian party politics. country, but also ensure that they Its origin dates back to 1998, in maintain democratic principles within preparation for the new democratic themselves. In essence, political parties dispensation. Osumah and Ikelegbe were seen as the purveyors of the (2009) asserted that the end of military democracy, because they themselves dispensation in the country created the exude democratic principles among necessity to have political parties which members. Hence, the achievement of were not only devoid of ethnic-based

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typology of political parties that marked sent to the barracks. The objectives of the previous republics, but which would the party at inception, according to also help in underlining the country‟s Ojukwu and Olaifa (2013), included: to readiness for plural democracy. This led seek political power for the purpose of to the establishment and registration of protecting the territorial integrity of several political parties, including the Nigeria and promoting the security, PDP by the General Abdulsalam safety, welfare of all Nigerians; to Abubakar-led Federal Military promote and establish political stability Government. Right from inception, the in Nigeria and foster national unity and PDP received wide range of support integration; to provide good governance from various individuals and groups in that ensures probity and participatory the country. It was made up of different democracy; to offer equal opportunities individuals like traditional chiefs, to hold the highest political, military, Academicians, Businessmen and also bureaucratic and judicial offices in the high ranking retired military officers. country to all citizens; and provide the

Originally, the party was formed by a political environment that is conducive conglomeration of majorly four political to economic growth and national groupings necessitating its development through private initiative characterization as a coat of many and free enterprise. colours. The groups included the These objectives reveal the extent to Institute of Civil Society (ICS), which which the party was targeted at was also known as G-34, resulting from maintaining the country‟s democratic the 34 individuals, led by Alex system. Before its defeat in 2015 Ekwueme, who signed the petition however, the party had won every against Abacha‟s self-succession during election at the National level for 16 his regime. The Second Group years but had at the same time failed to comprised of the National Party of actualize those values and objectives Nigeria (NPN), also known as the All represented in its constitution. It has Nigeria Congress, who were conversely however been a different ball game in not opposed to Abacha‟s self- practice, suggesting disconnect between succession, but were also not part of his theory and practice or a dichotomy regime. It was led by S.B Awoniyi. The between policy and politics. This would third group was made up of the former be further explored in consequent followers of Late Shehu Musa Yaradua, sections of this paper. under the aegis of the People‟s Party Primaries and Candidate Democratic Movement (PDM). Its most Selection: The Legal and Institutional prominent members included Framework AtikuAbubakar and Chief Tony Anenih. Institutional and legal designs are The fourth group was the Social important elements of ensuring the Progressive Party (SDP). The mosaic effectiveness of political parties. This is nature of the party signifies the extent to because they define the operational which politicians were willing to unite structure of the party and also regulate in the formation of a democratic rule behaviors within the party (Kura, 2014). and also ensure that the military was Additionally, institutionalizing political

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parties allows for the propagation of to different states not being less than 2/3 democracy due to the fact that political of the 36 states and FCT (Section 223, parties which are institutionalized are Sub-sections 1-2). Similarly, the not subjected to the whims and caprices constitution of the PDP also outlines of few ambitious leaders within the legal guidelines for conducting party. Against this backdrop, Ikechukwu primaries and selection of candidates for (2015) highlighted five categories of political offices from the office of the institutional and legal designs guiding President to the local level. Therefore, the operation of political parties in registered members of the party who Nigeria, and which embodies the legal have been able to meet the requirements frameworks guiding primaries and will be eligible to contest for such candidate selection in the People‟s positions in relation to the party Democratic Party. These include; guidelines approved by the National 1. The 1999 Constitution; Executive Committee.

2. The Constitution of the People‟s Electoral Acts and the rules of the Democratic Party Independent National Electoral 3. The Electoral Acts Commission are also important elements 4. Independent National Electoral of legal frameworks binding candidate Commission (INEC) statutory rules selection and conduct of primaries in the 5. Other informal rules. People‟s Democratic Party. Ikechukwu The 1999 constitution of Nigeria (2015) asserted that the INEC is the provides rules guiding political parties second most important institutional in Nigeria. Thus, internal constitution of design guiding party politics in Nigeria; the People‟s Democratic Party is it is constitutionally authorized to constructed in relation to the stipulations monitor all party operations in the of the 1999 constitution. Sections 221- country ranging from registration and 229 provides that, every political party mode of conducting primaries. These must guarantee the registration of names rules are thus provided through electoral and addresses, open membership, acts, which are usually provided prior to registered constitution, ethno-religious the conduct of elections such as the free party nomenclature and location of 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 acts used for headquarters in . 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 elections

In relation to the conduction of respectively. primaries and selection of candidates, Informal rules also form another the political parties must provide; for the category of institutional framework of conduct of a periodic election on a candidate selection in the PDP. These democratic basis for the election of its rules are not coded in any legal principal officers, executive members framework, but are guided by the socio- and members of its governing body, at cultural norms of the society. Certain regular intervals not exceeding four informal designs of candidate selection years; members of its executive and primaries were outlined by committee and other principal officers Ballington (2004) to include assessment must reflect the federal character of of the costs of time, energy, the Nigeria, and these officers must belong likelihood of winning, and by an

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estimation of the resources needed to of internal democracy and cohesion in run an effective campaign. In the the party. It can be said that they serve People‟s Democratic Party, certain as a means to maintaining democracy unconstitutional considerations such as within the party and in the national nepotism, ethnic cleavages, clientelism, polity. and an aspirant‟s war chest such as the However, there is deficit in adherence to ability to rig elections, influence party these institutional and legal frameworks officials or delegates who vote at in the People‟s Democratic Party. This primaries have been institutionalized in is not surprising as Adejumobi (2007 the process of candidate selection. More p.42) have argued that “political parties importantly, the zoning formula ranks mostly do not conform to legal codes of high in informal framework of candidate internal democracy, whether at the level selection in the People‟s Democratic of electoral regulations or at that of their Party. Alumona & Obianyo (2014 p.15) own internal party rules”. This thus described the zoning formula as “a type represents the case in the People‟s of consociational arrangement devised Democratic Party; while proper legal by the Nigerian political class to address and institutional frameworks have been the divisive politics of ethnicity and entrenched to guide the character and primordialism that scuttled the activities of political parties, lack of democratic dispensation in the first adherence to these have bred internal republic”. This was designed due to the chaos leading to the emergence of fact that over 250 ethnic groups are conflicts and rifts within the party. This embedded in the country, and as such, creates the need to underscore intra- there is a need to carve out a regulation party conflicts in the People‟s which would favour the wide span of Democratic Party in relation to party ethnic groups and ensure no zone is primaries and candidate selection. marginalized in the process of candidate Internal Democracy and Party selection in the country. In response, Politics in Nigeria candidate selection is therefore Political parties, as democratic organized and periodically rotated institutions are expected to be the among the country‟s geo-political zones carriers of democratic frameworks, which includes North-East(6 states), through which democracy can be North-West(7 states), North Central(7 properly actualized in the whole country states), South East(5 states), South at large. Analysis of political parties West(5 states) and South - have summated that they are indeed a South(6states). In essence, the vital aspect of promoting democracy. institutional and legal frameworks are Scholars have asserted that they not only normative guidelines for regulating the promote democratic principles, but are behaviors of party members and themselves “makers” of democracy ensuring orderly organization in the (Omotola, 2009:612), of which their party. The degrees at which these absence also translates to an absence of institutional and legal frameworks are democratic principles or structures. In able to guide the actions in the political essence, political parties are sine qua party have a direct impact on the level non for the entrenchment of democracy.

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To Aleyomi (2013 p.286), they are also democracy were not oblivious of the expected to perform “institutional centrality of internal party democracy to guarantees” through which effective the thriving of the democratic enterprise. discharge of their democratic duties can However, despite such strong legal be properly carried out. As such, support for intra-party democracy, in political parties are expected to possess Nigeria, there is as sense in which it an internal democracy, which will in could be argued that internal party turn to ensure democratic governance. democracy, particularly in the Peoples‟ One of the foremost proponents of Democratic Party (PDP) which held internal democracy; Scarrow (2004), sway for the first sixteen years of the believed that Intra-party democracy is Fourth Republic, has largely been “a very broad term describing a wide observed in the breach. Nor is this non- range of methods for including party adherence to the principle of internal members in intra-party deliberation and party democracy limited to the current decision making. Part of the reasoning democratic experiment. On the contrary, behind it is that parties using internally it would appear that this singular fact democratic procedures are likely to contributed in large measure to the select more capable, appealing leaders demise of earlier democratic and candidates and to have more experiments in Nigeria. Taking a long responsive policies, and, as a result, to historical view of the phenomenon, enjoy greater electoral success. Other Sklar (2004) stated that political parties considerations relate to parties in the colonial period grew out of the “practicing what they preach”. This struggles against colonial domination clearly reveals that party primaries and and striving for political independence. models of candidate selection are one of Such struggles led to the establishment the most important elements of of the Nigerian National Democratic entrenching internal democracy among Party in 1922, spearheaded by the then political parties. nationalist; Herbert Macaulay. He

Party politics and process of ensuring observed that the party which was democracy have always recognized focused on championing the interests of intra-party democracy as one of the the local people and protecting their elements and pillars necessary to rights which the colonial masters achieve good governance within willfully violated had the objective of political parties, which is also expected attaining municipal status and local self- to radiate outwardly in creating a government for Lagos, encouragement healthy democratic development and of non-discriminatory private economic stability in the country (Matlosa, 2008). enterprise, Africanization of the civil In Nigerian politics, the legal service among others. Upon its foundations for ensuring internal establishment, the party recorded huge democracy within political parties are success in the pursuance of its goals; it deeply prescribed in various institutional served as a platform through which local frameworks like the constitution and the people expressed their grievances and electoral act. In essence, it could be displeasure against the rulings of the gleaned that the architects of Nigerian colonial elites. However, it was not

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without its shortcomings, it was party. Therefore, despite his success, he personalized and controlled by educated was denied the premiership position elites within the party. Additionally, it owing to lack of internal party cohesion. was not nationalistic, as most of its Just as ethnic segregation and activities were confined to the environs factionalization culminated to the denial of Lagos. of the Premiership of the Western

The groups of political parties; the Region to Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and his Action Group (AG), the Northern eventual migration to the Eastern region, People‟s Congress (NPC) and the similar intra-party crisis which NCNC also culminated another set of bedeviled the Northern People‟s political parties which succeeded the Congress (NPC) leading to NYM and NNDP. However, although factionalization of the party and they were largely ethnicized and elitist breaking away of Mallam in nature, Omodia (2010) opined that from the party, to form the Northern their major objectives revolved around Elements Progressives Union (NEPU). acquiring power and achievement of The factionalization was borne out of independence for the country. While his perceived marginalization of highlighting the major importance of the minority interests in the Arewa Cultural political parties, he asserted that “even Group and his desire to protect the when parties were elitist formed, they interests of those minorities. Consequent were deeply rooted in the people in marginalization of minorities by the terms of interest articulation, Hausa-Fulani majority also culminated aggregation, political socialization and into the formation of United Middle Belt elite recruitment coupled with political Congress (UMBC) by Joseph Tarka. communication” (Omodia, 2010 p. 66). The party was riddled with conflict of

However, the political parties were interests among its members, ranging bedeviled by internal conflicts; major from a discrepancy between its elected internal crisis resulting from leadership representatives and top native authority conflicts and ethnic sectionalism were officials, to the domineering role played recorded in the NCNC; the leader of the by the Native Authority officials in National Council for Nigeria and controlling the party affairs. (NCNC), Dr. Nnamdi Internal Crisis which loomed in the Azikiwe, was to be the Premier of Action Group was also marked by Western Region following the victory of political rivalry which was majorly his party in the Western regional between Awolowo and Akintola‟s election. The emergence of Azikwe as ideological differences and party the Premier of the Western region was leadership. The rift was so grave that the however resisted by certain members, political scandals were publicly particularly the Yorubas. Mbah (2011) disclosed and birthed myriad of asserted that members of the NCNC, conflicts leading to massive violence majorly Yorubas felt uncomfortable and state of emergency in the Western with the success of Azikiwe resulting in region. Akintola was later dismissed their eventual defection to the Action from the party, which led to the Group, which was majorly a Yoruba

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formation of another party-Nigeria The Third Republic started with the National Democratic Party (NNDP). transition programme, General Ibrahim

The inception of the Second republic in Babangida emphasized on his desire to 1979 following some years of military rid Nigerian party politics of the rule marked the formation the National ethnicization, politics of ownership and Party of Nigeria (NPN); Nigerian party crisis which bedeviled it in People‟s Party (NPP); Great Nigerian previous republics. This saw to the People‟s Party(GNPP); Unity Party of establishment of two political parties Nigeria(UPN);and People‟s along ideological lines; the Social Redemption Party (PRP). Toyden Democratic Party (SDP) which was a (2002) opined that political parties in the leftist or welfarist party and the National second republic were a metamorphosis Republican Convention (NRC) which of the First Republic in that they was a capitalist party. Although the mirrored the activities of those of the parties were later dissolved sequel to the First Republic. In this period, intra-party highly controversial cancellation of the relation was a mixture of cooperation 1993 election, which marked the and conflicts; while the Northern beginning of another military People‟s Congress (NPC) enjoyed some dispensation ended in 1999, it is no level of internal cohesion, certain doubt that the parties witnessed their elements of conflicts were still evident own share of intra-party conflicts within within the party. An example was when the short time. Intra-party relations Alhaji Aminu Kano left the party due to during the period were marked by the sabotage of his presidential factional feud and in-fighting. The ambition, to form People‟s Redemption National Republican Convention (NRC) Party (PRP). was divided among various factions like Additionally, authoritarian activities the Republican Action Committee by loomed in the UPN and GNPP. Within , the Republican Solidarity the parties, presidential and led by , gubernatorial candidates also doubled as and and the NRC their Party chairmen, thus suffocating consultative forum led by Alhaji the possibility of internal democracy. Ibrahim Mantu. The Social Democratic The resultant effects were defections, Party (SDP) was also marked by internal factionalizations and splits. Sunday feud and factionalization leading to the Afolabi and Akin Omoboriowo of Oyo emergence of the Yaradua and Kingibe and Ondo states defected from UPN to factions.

NPN. Other cases were Arthur The death of General , and Nzeribe‟s defection from NPP to UPN, consequent end of the military junta, Chief Abiola‟s defection from NPN, the ushered in the Fourth Republic. Momoh split of PRP into Aminu Kano and (2013) captured the feature of party Micheal Imodu factions, among others. politics in the Fourth Republic by In essence, the Second Republic stating that political parties experienced recorded internal strife, with the UPN reoccurring internal crises leading to having the largest number of intra-party factionalization and also the crisis. proliferation of political parties.

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At the inception of the fourth republic, members; psychological and the main parties: Alliance for behavioural elements among members Democracy (AD), Action Congress of are determined by the compatibility and Nigeria (ACN), All Nigerian People‟s incompatibility of their interests; and the Party (ANPP) and the People‟s result of the consequent conflict is zero Democratic Party (PDP), have always sum, that is, the success of one member been said to be largely affected by “deep or members to achieve desired purpose, internal crises, disorder, recurring translates to the defeat of another tensions and turmoil manifested in member or members. factional fighting, expulsions and Alexander, Chizhik and Chizhik (2009 counter-expulsions, multiple executives p.367) unravel how in-group and dual offices (Akubo, 2014 p.85)” discrepancy occurs and the effects it has

The literature reveals the extent to on the group at large. Respective group which previous Nigerian republics have members strive to maintain and possess been marred by incessant internal strife. control over the limited valuable Indeed, intra-party crisis is historically resources, which thus breeds deep-seated in the fabric of the competition among the advantaged as country‟s party politics, borne out of disadvantaged members of the group. single-leader control, Godfatherism, Sit- While the disadvantaged groups tightism and most importantly, utmost compete and strive to gain such disregard for constitutional structures. resources and status, the advantaged While extant literature have provided group repels such attempts by acting ample summation of lack of internal against any form of threat to the party democracy and the resultant intra- resources they control. As such, the party crises, this paper focuses on the competitions among the two groups for manifestation of this syndrome in scarce resources breed hostility among Nigeria‟s longest ruling political party, them. Markus, Fein and Kassin (2013) the PDP, and the implication for its added that in some cases, competitions eventual defeat in the 2015 general resulting to hostilities and conflicts may election. not necessarily be as a result of the

Theoretical Perspective feeling of threat to the resources they The Realistic group conflict theory best seek to control, or control, but may also explains the central argument of this be as a result of relative feelings of paper. It is an economic theory which deprivation by those groups; the feelings explains that intergroup conflicts stems of being marginalized or poor in relation out of incompatible goals as a result of to others. In essence, therefore completion over scarce resources.The competition is at the heart of the theory can be summarized into few realistic conflict theory. assumptions; humans are naturally The realistic group conflict theory has selfish and would always want their been used by scholars to explain power interests to rise above the interests of relations in party politics and thus the others; conflicts within and among theory provides accurate explanations of members of the group are borne out of how competitions, and conflict unravels incompatible interests among group in the People‟s Democratic Party(PDP);

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despite the fact that the party represents Party‟s internal squabble was also one group where the sole interests of the responsible for its defeat in the 2015 party and the country is supposed to be general elections, particularly at the of major concern, the party is still presidential level. The realistic group marred by the desire its members to conflict theory adopted in this research further their selfish interests above the is therefore germane for explaining the interest of other members, which results power relations and the divergent to spanning competition and conflict interests usually pursued by party among them. In this Omoruyi (in members within the Peoples‟ Omotola, 2009 p.626) stated that “the Democratic Party (PDP). so- called parties are not in competition Party Primaries and Candidate with one another. They are in factions; Selection as the Purveyor of Intra- these factions are more in competition Party Conflicts in PDP with themselves than with another Above outline of the legal and party”. For instance, the Peoples‟ institutional frameworks has Democratic Party has been characterized demonstrated the extent to which with several conflicts since its formation political parties in Nigeria, particularly as a political party (Aleyomi, 2013 the PDP appreciate the nexus between p.296). The Peoples‟ Democratic Party internal party democracy and is made up of several personalities with achievement of smooth turnover of divergent interest; this interest has led to election. In this regard, Norris (2004) several crises that have threatened the had stated that one of the key issues in existence and survival of the party as a intra-party democracy is the nomination , whole. For example, on August 31st process in that it serves as a prism 2013, there was a major crisis in the through which power distribution Peoples‟ Democratic Party during their among organs and factions in the national convention. The crisis led to the political party is understood. In essence creation of Kawu Baraje faction and the there is no gainsaying party primary and Tukur faction in the PDP . The crisis led candidate selection is pivotal to the to the creation of New Peoples process of ensuring democracy both Democratic Party (NPDP) by the Kawu within and outside the political party.

Baraje led faction. The Kawu Baraje led However, despite such laudable faction includes Aliyu Wamakko legalistic constructs and acknowledged (); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); importance of selecting candidates Rabiu Kwankwanso (Kano); Muritala through primaries, the party is not Nyako (Adamawa); devoid of internal crisis; it has in fact (Kwara); (Jigawa) and been riddled with an avalanche and tales (Rivers). Also in the of conflicts and litigations accruing faction are an acting National Chairman, from the gap between theory and Kawu Baraje; a suspended National practice. In 2003, internal conflict in the Secretary, Prince PDP revolved majorly around and a former National Deputy National Obasanjo‟s second term bid and his Chairman, Dr. Sam Jaja (Punch hegemonic control over the party Newspaper, September 1, 2013). The structures. The summary of candidate

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imposition was given by Elischer (2008) defection, other members of the party thus: witnessed harassments and forceful In order to get the PDP aligned withdrawal from the presidential race, state governors to support his which led to the emergence of Umaru renewed candidacy in 2003, Musa Yar‟Adua as the presidential Obasanjo and his then-ally Atiku candidate, which also blossomed into promised all PDP governors to crisis; According to Irem (2006), the free them of intra-party opposition to their renewed bid for power process leading to the emergence of irrespective of the various legal Yar‟ Adua was not truly democratic suits leveled against them. because there seemed to be an Eventually Obasanjo secured his undemocratic consensus by leaders of second nomination and all the party prior to the convention in his governors were returned as PDP favour. candidates. Other notable series of unconstitutional Kura (2011) further asserted that the candidature were also evident in 2011 2006 primaries which preceded the 2007 leading to impositions and substitution elections were also marred by resultant of candidates. In Imo gubernatorial race, chaos and internal crisis. Events in the Mr. Ifeanyi Ararume was replaced with 2007 elections revolved around Engineer Ugwu. In Lagos, Hilda Obasanjo‟s third term presidential Williams who emerged as the winner in ambition, Atiku‟s presidential ambition, the primaries was also replaced with Yar‟Adua‟s consequent selection and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. Similarly, other cases of intra-party rifts. Within in River State, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi was these unfolding events, candidate replaced with Mr. Celestine Omehia. imposition and political sabotage were The end result was underscored by Kura clearly evident. Obasanjo, who was at (2011); disregard for constitutionalism the time president and towards the end culminated into the absence of party of his presidential tenure declared the candidates in Rivers and Imo States. election a do-or-die affair, which was in Between 2011 and 2015, other cases of relation to his third term ambition. escalating intra-party crisis were also Alumona and Obianyo (2014) stated recorded; spiraling conflict between the that used the People‟s then party chairman; Alhaji Bamanga Democratic Movement (PDM) as his Tukur and the state governors led to the formidable political machine to ensure factionization and later defection of five the victory and defeat of certain state governors. Surrounding candidates within the party and also to controversies led to the resignation of plot the nullification of Obasanjo‟s third Tukur, who was replaced with Adamu term presidential ambition. In Muazu. Within the same period, the then retaliation, Obasanjo sabotaged Atiku President ‟s and his supporter‟s registration, forcing presidential ambition triggered another Atiku‟s defection to the Action form of conflict between him and the Congress (AC), later Action Congress of Northern members of the party. He Nigeria (ACN), to pursue his subsequently emerged as the party‟s presidential candidate. Following his sole presidential candidate which irked

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other interested members like Sule some cases accommodate the possible Lamido. Therefore, upholding thought of returning to their former institutionalized processes of candidate parties as the case of Mallam Isa selection and party primaries in the PDP Yuguda of . have been subjected to mere abstraction. However, pursuance of political The pitiable state of internal democracy ambitions only represents a part of the consequently resulting to conflicts have rationale for member defections from been captured by Obi (in Adejumobi, the Peoples‟ Democratic Party; the 2011 p.81) when he argued on how the absence of internal democracy elitist members of the party have seized contributes to gale of defections in the instruments of power. political parties, which is borne out of From the foregoing, it could be seen that unhealthy party feuds in selection of the PDP had witnessed a large spate of candidates, clash between and among intra party crisis in its sixteen years in the party executives, which power. We now turn to an examination consequently results to intra party of the resultant implications of such tussles which has continued to protracted crises not only for the party contribute to the growth of an odious act but also for the sustenance of democracy of party defection. Onyishi (2015) in Nigeria. asserted that the internal crisis that

Implications of Intra-Party Conflicts riddled the PDP was one of the in Nigeria contributing factors which led to the There is no gainsaying intra-party defection of Mallam to the conflicts in the PDP are primarily All Nigeria People‟s Party, prior to the fuelled by the desire of its political elites 2007 elections. Additionally, defection to quench an insatiable thirst for arose out of the rift between Adamu political power thus having damaging Muazu and Mallam Isa Yuguda; the implications on the political party and then governor of Bauchi state; country at large. The trend of cross- AdamuMuazu frustrated Mallam Isa carpeting, party hopping and member Yuguda from getting the PDP ticket, defection borne out of intra-party which consequently led to his defection conflict is not a new phenomenon in to the All Nigeria People‟s Party Nigeria‟s party politics. Mbah (2011) (ANPP). Additionally, between 1999 posits that party defection has and 2013, over 13 Senators and 35 positioned itself as a permanent feature members of the House of in the Nigerian democratic experience. Representatives were said to have This fact is undeniable in Nigeria, switched to the opposition. The most having witnessed the spate since the remarkable case of defection was inception of the fourth democratic witnessed prior to the 2015 elections dispensation in 1999. The rationale for when five PDP governors (Rotimi such defections has always revolved Amaechi of Rivers; around members‟ inability to attain their of Kano; Aliyu Magatakada Wammako political ambitions in their present party. of Sokoto; Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara Against this, members defect to other and ex- Governor of parties to secure such ambitions and in

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Adamawa) defected to the All primaries across various states were Progressives Congress (APC). mishandled by the party leaders, who

Frequent leadership changes within the favoured their anointed candidates. party also represent another crucial Party elders such as implication of conflicts within the and Aminu Wali were alleged to have People‟s Democratic Party. The point contributed to the defeat of the PDP by worthy of note is that such change of imposing candidates for elective offices leadership is not only frequent, but also in . In essence, conflict unconstitutional and goes against the within the party produced two end institutional dictates of the party. Since results which finally led to the defeat of its establishment in 1999 to 2014, the the party; due to internal wrangling, party has had up to fifteen national proper coordination of the party in chairmen (Aziken, 2014), of which only relation to campaign and other factors a few had the privilege of completing could not be achieved; also certain their tenures. Most PDP chairmen were members of the party became ousted as a result of internal conflict or disillusioned and expressed their rifts with the party hierarchy. discontent through defecting to the All Additionally, some of the party Progressives Congress. chairmen were not even elected, but Proliferation of political parties is also rather imposed on the party members. seen as the end product of intra-party , Barnabas Germade, Audu crisis in the People‟s Democratic Party. Ogbe, Ahmadu Ali, Vincent Ogbulafor, Whereas it may be a positive dimension Okwesilieze Nwodo, Haliru Muhammed for members who cannot actualize their Bello, Bamanga Tukur, have all led the political ambitions within a political party and have been removed as a result party to defect to or form another to conflictual occurrences. The main political party, Akindele (2011) crux is that none of the changes was underscored the negative implications orderly, open, free, independent or in by stating that party members, realizing tandem with the wishes of the party their constitutional right to form other majority, but rather in line with the political parties culminates into their whims and caprices of the party elites, unwillingness to come to grips with the particularly the presidency. problems inherent in their present party

Cumulatively, it is incontrovertible from or find amicable grounds of solving the foregoing submissions that internal those problems. crises within the PDP have yielded Conclusion nothing but odious cases of defection to This work essentially underscores how other “peaceful” and prospective parties, the processes of candidate selection and by members of the PDP, too many party primaries in the People‟s leadership changes not borne out of Democratic Party have culminated to democratic elements and also resultant internal crisis within the party, and the factionalization, all of which resulted to subsequent implications of such crisis the defeat of the party in the 2015 on the country‟s democracy. In an effort elections. Aside the presidential to achieve this, the study outlined the election, gubernatorial and other legal and constitutional framework of

35 Muinat Adebayo Adekeye CUJPIA (2017) 5(1) 22-39

the People‟s Democratic Party with In line with the above, this paper regard to internal party democracy. It established that those legal and was discovered that lack of synergy institutional frameworks carved to guide between the parties‟ laid down rules, the party activities are nothing but mere legal framework and institutional abstractions. In reality, selection of designs, with actually practices, borne candidates is not done through outcomes out of the pursuance of personal from party primaries but through the interests are one of the major factors principle of nepotism, master-servant that resulted to protracted intra-party relationship, continuum of loyalty of the conflicts within the People‟s Democratic candidates among other factors. This in Party. Rather than ensure proper essence translates to the fact that the adherence to the legal frameworks People‟s Democratic Party, which was guiding the party, such as the 1999 expected to promote the tenets of constitution, the Constitution of the PDP democracy, had fallen short of ensuring and the laid rules in the Electoral Act, that such goal is achieved. In a sense candidates were largely selected by therefore, portraying the political party imposing them on party members and as a bridging gap between the substitution of certain names with government and the people, through the others. promotion of accountability, democracy,

To discover the reasons behind intra- good governance, among other factors, party conflicts in the PDP, and also to is not an accurate depiction. understand the theoretical constructs Intra-party crisis has been seen as a guiding such occurrences, the paper grave impediment to democratic adopted the realistic group conflict sustainability in Nigeria. It is therefore theory. The use of the theory enable the necessary to pay critical attention to the exposition of how internal conflicts institutionalization political parties in within the party arose out of the tussle to Nigeria; political parties should be control limited resources, influence and restructured not only as an avenue power within the political party, which through which power is attained but also set party members in fierce competition as that which is capable of mediating, with one another and bred hostilities and reconciling and structuring opposing conflicts. Cumulatively, these resulted forces of societal interests within and to massive defections to other political outside it to attain democratic goal. This parties, factionalization within the party, translates to the need to have effective distrust among party members, leadership devoid of elitist control, proliferation of political parties in the internal democracy, strong ideology and country, and the consequent defeat of development. the party in the 2015 elections.

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