Multi-party system and the predicament of political development in Nigerian democratic dispensation

Abstract

Many countries rely on party system as instrument for democratic development. In a multi-party system, political parties as part of the democratic system constitute the main tool of political development irrespective of their various ideological learning. Multi-parties system set a face for political development through healthy political competition to unite Nigeria. Therefore, this paper examines the nexus between multi-party system and political development in Nigeria, and the political consequences of multi-party system in Nigeria. The research adopts an explanatory approach for analysis in this work. The design exposes the researcher to mainly secondary data. The study suggested that a multi-party system fosters variety and ideological divisions, resulting in a sense of ethnic politics. It would lead to political uncertainty to the electorate on which party would join or to vote for in order to ensure even development. Political parties, according to the study, should have a clearly defined philosophy and ideology that allows them to adhere to their manifestos. The internal democracy should be entrenched to all political parties in order to enhanced democratic development and electing credible leaders.