Democratic Regression in Nigeria: A Critical Discourse on the Character and Tendencies of the Political Parties as Explanatory Factors

Abstract. Nigeria is being confronted with many problems. Very critical and cardinal among them, is the regression in democratic practice. Indeed, observations and research findings point to the fact that proper democratic practice in Nigeria is increasingly becoming elusive. This situation has become a source of worry to proponents of democracy and good governance. In realization of the centrality of political parties in democratic activities and processes, the study examined the dominant character and the tendencies of the political parties in Nigeria in an attempt to establish their relationship with the prevailing democratic regression in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. In doing this, the qualitative research method of gathering data through secondary sources was adopted. Consequently, analysis in the study was based on content analysis technique. The basic finding is that the character and tendencies of the political parties vitiate their will and capacity to play politics democratically and to encourage or promote democratic ideals among the citizenry. To reposition the political parties to play the role of enhancing democratic practice in Nigeria, it was recommended that political parties should embrace competition, co-operation and compromise as necessary ingredients of democratic politics and embarks on political education to socialize the entire citizenry into accepting, imbibing and exhibiting democratic values in their political activities. Political parties should be more interested in politics based on ideology and principles and for national interest and not just for selfish personal, party or ethnic gains.