S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun Samuel Osadola, AJERR, 2018;3:30 Research Article AJERR 2018,3:30 American Journal of Educational Research and Reviews (ISSN:2474-9265) Intra-Party Primaries in Nigeria’s Democratization Process: a Historical Assessment S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun Samuel Osadola2 1Department of History and International Studies, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria; 2Ph.D Student, Department of History and International Studies, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria ABSTRACT The sprouting character of Nigerian politics from the last quarter *Correspondence to Author: of the colonial period to the present is reflected in the changing Oluwaseun Samuel OsadolaPh.D character of her party politics. Thus, from the ratification of re- Student, Department of History and gionalism by Author Richards in 1946 through the short period International Studies, Ekiti State during the First Republic lasted, two foremost factors shaped the University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Ni- character of intra-party relations/politics: ethno-religious and, to geria a lesser extent, some feigning of ideological commitment. One of the main features of a political party is its ability not only to contest and win elections, but also to conduct internal elections How to cite this article: among its various contestants with the aim of selecting the most S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun suitable candidate that will serve the interest of the party. How- Sam-uel Osadola. Intra-Party ever, several issues have risen as a result of primary elections Prima-ries in Nigeria’s among the political parties in Nigeria which has not only affected Democratization Process: a the political party itself, but as well ruin the smooth running of Historical Assessment. American democracy in the country. This paper historically assesses in- Journal of Educational Research tra-party primaries in Nigeria’s Democratic process. It questioned and Reviews, 2018,3:30. the nexus between democracy, party primaries, intra-party con- flict and law based union in Nigeria. This paper made use of both primary and secondary data. eSciPub LLC, Houston, TX USA. Keywords: Intra-party, Primary Elections, Democracy, Nigeria Website: http://escipub.com/ http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-educational-research-and-reviews/ 0001 S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun Samuel Osadola, AJERR, 2018; 3:30 INTRODUCTION: Historical Background of the endeavors by surviving experts in characterizing the term stress the centrality of Man as articulated by Socrates is a social individuals (the greater part) in the creature. This suggests the gregarious idea of administration of the state (Obi and Oddih, man severely dislikes in all implications 2006;36). Radiator, (1964:134) recommended segregated life. Thusly, man needs to live in that democracy isn't just a type of government politically sorted out enclave that is guided by yet a lifestyle or a state of mind of the brain. laws. This is basic in view of the Subsequently he went further to assert that unquenchability and apparently narrow minded democracy is „essentially a technique for nature of man. In any case, when we watch the sorting out society politically‟. It is an life of men around us, we can't neglect to be arrangement of administration in which the struck by two realities: generally speaking, each rulers are considered responsible for their man wants to have his own particular manner, activities in general society domain by natives to think and goes about as he prefers; and in acting in a roundabout way through the the meantime, everybody can't have his own opposition and participation of their chose specific manner, since he lives in the public agents. arena, where one man's wants conflict with those of another. The relations of the Amidst twentieth century and by and by, the call individuals from society with each other, in this for opportunity and democracy are echoes over manner, require direction by government the globe. The world has seen incredible move (Appadorai, 2004:3). The Nigerian political from tyrant style of administration to popularity circumstance and life isn't removing from the based manage, even in Islamic states in which above. Drawing from the above composition there convention and method for lifestyle favors identifying with the need and the substance of monarchical and socialist arrangement of principles and directions managing political and government. The reality still remain that state is open life, government is framed. This never again keen on associating with other administration comprises of a collection of state where democracy isn't practiced. As people that decide. In a perfect world, the Adetoye (2010) had appropriately contended, choices should be in light of a legitimate the underlying opponents of democracy are concern for the general masses. Basically, what presently battle to supplant the socialist of constitutes the body, the systems and yesteryears with another democracy. It at that procedures by which the laws are figured point takes after that any nation burning of unsettled the psyches of the political pertinence inside the world framework must be rationalists, regardless of whether by the viewed as law based consistence (Omotola, congregations of the older folks (gerontocracy), 2008:184). the board of trustees of the well off (plutocracy), The confirmation of above demonstrates that the nobles (gentry), the specialists countries in this day and age offered (technocracy), and the general people unmistakable quality to vote based framework. (democracy). This last type of political course of African states are not forgotten in this action gives off an impression of being the best improvement. However, contention in some type of government (Okonkwo, 2015). writing demonstrates that the purposes behind Etymologically, the word democracy is gotten supporting democracy in Africa, particularly from two Greek words "demos" which signifies Nigeria, don't reflect Western observation. "individuals" and "cracy" which signifies "run" or Along these lines, African takes a gander at "government", truly "importance administer by democracy in economic terms than political the general population" in any case, every one philosophy (Saliu, 1999:199). The worldwide http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-educational-research-and-reviews/ 0002 S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun Samuel Osadola, AJERR, 2018; 3:30 acknowledgment of democracy in the end party structures and leadership, as well as cleared path for the re-birth of majority rule partisan alignments and re-alignments among government in Nigeria on May 29, 1999. the party faithful around the attendant parallel This paper is adapted towards questioning the party platforms. To stress further, Okoli nexus between democracy, party primaries, (2001:3) enumerated factors that are intra-party conflict and law based union in responsible for intra-party opposition as follows: Nigeria. It is against this foundation that this Personality difference, clash of socio-economic paper is worried about the connection between interests, ideological incompatibility, etc, among democracy, party primaries and intra political politicians. Adding to the above is the party's emergency in Nigeria and the degree of contextual pathologies of (party) politics in party's commitment to the survival of Nigeria, among which are: democracy in Nigeria. 1. The Hobbesian character of politics CONCEPTUALIZATION where struggle for state power is seen as a „do or die‟ affair; in this context, politics Basic terms related to this paper will be incidentally becomes a crude warfare. examined based on scholarly contributions and analyses. Terms like Intra-party Conflict, 2. Internal characteristics of political parties, Democracy, and Political Party will be which are exemplified in organizational conceptualized in this section. and operational defects, poor sense of party discipline and loyalty, lax party Intra-Party Conflict: Entails a situation of supremacy, and gross ideological disagreement among members of a political deficits. party. This situation often arises “when members of the same political party pursue 3. Influence of money politics and incompatible political goals or try to influence personality cult, which gives rise to the decision making process of the party to cabalism, godfatherism, and the likes. their advantage”. This shows that intra party 4. The incumbency factor, whereby the conflict often occurs when members are ambitions of the incumbent political entangled in the pursuit of divergent goals most executives (party leaders) contradict with especially in the fielding of members for both those of some party elements in such a elective and appointive positions. manner that precipitates gang-up and The phrase intra-party conflict is concept intra-party wrangling. Still on the track of coined to embrace all the tussles and wrangling unveiling the propelling force behind the within a political party that are inimical to intra-party conflict in Nigeria, Mbah normal nomination and/or election of party flag submitted thus: bearers, as against inter-party politics which is The Petit-bourgeois found out that although political activity among different political parties. they have acquired political power, they were This ugly trend manifests in the form of not truly in control of the economy. However, opposition within a political party. As a they understood that political power offered corollary, (Okoli, 2001) avers that intra-party opportunities for economic power and