The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions through evidence based research, policy dialogue and sustained stakeholder engagement.
Speaking during a public lecture titled “Influence of Caucus on Internal Democracy in Nigeria: Insights from APC and PDP Party Primaries,” the institute’s Director General, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said strengthening internal party democracy remained vital to deepening democratic governance in the country.
Represented by the Director of the Legislative Centre for Security Analysis, Prof. Zubairu Dagona, Sulaiman described caucus politics as a key factor shaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape and internal party governance.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he said while caucuses serve as platforms for consultation and consensus building, their excessive influence often encourages godfatherism, weakens internal democracy and limits grassroots participation and accountability.
He noted that democratic governance depends not only on credible elections but also on transparent, inclusive and credible internal party processes through which candidates emerge.
Sulaiman stressed that strengthening internal party democracy was essential for promoting accountable leadership, increasing political participation, consolidating democratic institutions and sustaining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The keynote speaker, Prof. James Jacob, examined the role of political party caucuses in the candidate selection processes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), highlighting their implications for internal democracy, party cohesion and governance.
Jacob, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Abuja and Sabbatical Staff in the Department of Democracy and Governance at NILDS, delivered the keynote address at the lecture.
The event attracted researchers, academics and other stakeholders who deliberated on practical reforms aimed at strengthening internal party democracy and promoting greater transparency in Nigeria’s political parties.
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