By Onono Onimisi
Every Democracy Day, Nigerians are reminded of the struggles, sacrifices, and aspirations that gave birth to our democratic journey. We celebrate the right to vote, the freedom to participate in governance, and the belief that power ultimately belongs to the people.
Yet, as we celebrate, an uncomfortable question remains: How democratic are our political parties?
The last primary elections left many Nigerians with concerns about the state of internal party democracy. Across political parties, there were widespread perceptions that certain candidates emerged not because they enjoyed the overwhelming support of party members or delegates, but because they enjoyed the backing of influential political actors. In many instances, outcomes appeared predetermined long before votes were cast.
This raises a fundamental concern. Democracy does not begin on election day; it begins within political parties. If party members are denied meaningful participation in choosing their candidates, then the democratic process is weakened from the very beginning.
Political parties serve as the gateway to public office. They are expected to identify, nurture, and present candidates who reflect the aspirations of their members and, ultimately, the wider electorate. When that process is undermined by imposition, favoritism, or undue influence, citizens are left with limited choices and diminished confidence in the system.
The consequences extend beyond the parties themselves. Public trust in elections declines. Political participation weakens. Citizens begin to question whether their votes truly matter. Democracy then risks becoming a ritual rather than a genuine expression of the people’s will.
Nigeria deserves better. We deserve a democracy where competence triumphs over connections, where party members have a real voice in selecting candidates, and where political leadership emerges through transparent and credible processes.
As we commemorate Democracy Day, our focus should not only be on preserving democratic institutions but also on strengthening them. Reviving internal party democracy is not merely a party affair; it is a national imperative.
A democracy that does not allow people to choose their leaders freely cannot achieve its full promise. The future of Nigerian democracy depends not only on the elections we hold, but also on the choices we are genuinely allowed to make.
The question before us is simple: Are we strengthening democracy, or merely preserving its appearance?
Onono Onimisi, write from Bayero University, Kano
