Political Parties in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

This paper examined political parties in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic with the aim of identifying challenges and prospects.  In a bid to achieve this objective, the paper relied on secondary sources of data collection. The methodology adopted for this work is the use of qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. The paper adopted elite theory as its framework of analysis. Findings from this paper revealed that political parties are the key actors in democratic governance. Following the investigation, it became apparent that political parties have several roles to play in engendering participation in politics as well as democratic governance. Though there have been certain factors hampering the achievement of these lofty functions, among which are lack of party ideology, lack of internal democracy, party defection, the growing phenomenon of godfatherism, party funding among others. The paper recommended that the political parties must provide a level playing field for all party members. Also, political parties must entrench the principle of internal democracy.