Nigeria Political System

In Nigeria’s present political framework, just like in most so called democratized African countries, opponents and enemies are one and the same and the concept of a loyal opposition is never in the cards. It is always difficult if not completely impossible to have consensus with oppositions and this continues to tear the polity apart, leaving the masses as the “sufferer”.

Huge amount of money has always gone into electioneering in Nigerian politics, though not peculiar but damaging considering the weak state of the country’s economy. Parties are always in a competition to retain power or take over power from incumbent government. Violence and thuggery have been the norm and intellectual energy debilitated on senseless bickering instead of

If well implemented and not misapplied, a country can find lasting peace in a one party democracy.

Now, let us take a look at the gains that comes with adopting a one-party scheme.

Political Stability:

It is no doubt that many countries in Africa, Nigeria included have encountered enormous threat to their national homogeneity. Since independence, cases of ethnic and territorial skirmishes caused by marginalization and other grievances have been a common place and hindrance to growth of African nations.

The quest for power and control post-independence gave rise to multi-party system in Nigeria, though this was largely encouraged by the British colonialists who did not bother taking into cognizance the traditional political structure of the people prior to their conquest, thus leaving the country to adopt and practice an alien political system. This foreign system till date has been a major source of political and economic backwardness of Nigeria and if not addressed and replaced with a workable scheme, will be

The cases of India, Vietnam and even China are there for references.

In a one-party set-up, the entire resources of the country is centered around the government controlled by that party and the people gives support to this party knowing that it has their interest at heart, this is irrespective of our tribe, language, religion or cultural inclination. One- party scheme therefore ensures unity and national integration which a country needs to make significant political and economic furtherance.

Multi-party system is always characterized by continuous political bickering and dissent and has under-developed Nigeria greatly. The number of military coups experienced since 1966 is a testimony to this, not to mention the senseless violence that occurs before, during and after every elections.

The greed and desperation for power has disintegrated the nation and has made enemies of people that should be partners in progress. In a one-party style of democracy, there is no sensible reason for political animosity since all members share a common ideology and pursue a common political