Elite Capture Kills Democracy in Nigeria's Party Politics

Rivers State is a crucial example of how democracy can die quietly, under the cover of legality and procedure. The state is economically vital, electorally important, and symbolically powerful, making its politics echo far beyond Port Harcourt. Yet, the corruption of a noble word - consensus - is now the danger confronting Nigeria's party politics.

At the centre of this crisis is the misuse of consensus, where aspirants are intimidated into withdrawal, delegates are treated as hired hands, and party members are invited only to applaud decisions already made elsewhere. This isn't unity; it's submission. It's elite capture dressed in democratic clothing. Dr Dakuku Peterside, author of 'Leading in a Storm' and 'Beneath the Surface', argues that this matters because democracy begins before the general election. Democracy doesn't start on election day; it begins with the process of selecting candidates.

By the time citizens arrive at the polling booth, the most decisive question may already have been settled: who was allowed to appear on the ballot? If governors, godfathers, party financiers, and national power brokers determine candidates through private bargains, then voters aren't choosing from a genuinely democratic field. They're selecting from options pre-arranged by those who control the machinery of power. This means voters don't have a real choice.

A candidate imposed through elite arrangements enters office with debts not owed primarily to citizens. His first loyalty is often to those who installed him. Public office then becomes a platform for repayment. Appointments, contracts, access, protection, and silence become the currency of political settlement. Citizens later wonder why leaders appear distant from their needs.

Often, the answer lies in how such leaders emerged. They didn't emerge from a democratic process; they were imposed by those in power.

Defenders of imposed consensus argue that open primaries are chaotic, expensive, and divisive. They point to vote-buying, intimidation, litigation, and factional conflict. These concerns are real. But the answer to a flawed democratic process can't be the abolition of democratic choice. If primaries are corrupt, they need to be reformed. If delegates are compromised, the process needs to be made more transparent. If disputes are endless, internal party institutions need to be strengthened.

'A civilian coup doesn't always suspend the constitution. Sometimes it operates through party secretariats, governors’ lodges, hotel rooms, and private homes. It preserves the rituals of democracy but strips away its essence.' Dr Dakuku Peterside's words highlight the danger of elite capture in Nigerian politics.

The consequence of elite capture is not merely political unfairness; it's bad governance. A candidate imposed through elite arrangements is more likely to prioritize the interests of their patrons over those of the citizens. This can lead to poor decision-making, corruption, and a lack of accountability. It's essential to recognize that elite capture has severe consequences.

The test of true democracy is simple: were aspirants free to contest or withdraw? Were members genuinely consulted? Was dissent permitted? Was the process transparent? Were delegates respected as decision-makers or managed as instruments? Where the answer is no, consensus becomes a lie. Nigeria must stop treating candidate selection as a private affair of political parties. It's not a private matter; it's a public concern.

Parties aren't ordinary clubs; they're gatekeepers of public leadership. Their internal processes shape the quality of governors, lawmakers, presidents, and councillors. When parties fail internally, the nation pays externally. A democracy that tolerates dictatorship inside parties can't produce accountability in government. It's essential to have democratic processes within parties.

As Nigeria moves on, it's essential to recognize the importance of democratic processes within political parties. The country must ensure that candidate selection is transparent, inclusive, and free from elite capture. Only then can Nigerians truly exercise their democratic rights and hold their leaders accountable. Nigerians won't have a real democracy if they don't have a say in who leads them.

The fate of Nigeria's democracy hangs in the balance. Will the country continue down the path of elite capture, or will it find a way to reclaim its democratic processes? The answer will have far-reaching consequences for the nation and its citizens. Nigeria's future depends on its ability to establish a truly democratic system. If it fails, the consequences won't be limited to the political sphere; they'll affect the economy, society, and the well-being of citizens.