Lagos, June 7, 2026 – A university lecturer, Prof. Sylvester Akhaine, has called for the development of strong political parties anchored on clear ideology and active grassroots participation, saying this is essential for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
Akhaine, of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University (LASU), made the submission during an interview in Lagos on Sunday.
He noted that many of the challenges confronting political parties in the country stem from weak internal structures and the absence of guiding principles.
According to him, political organisations that lack defined ideologies struggle with direction in policymaking and leadership selection.
“We need parties founded on principles and long-term vision. When people share common interests and values, democratic principles can thrive within the party,” he said.
The political scientist pointed to the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa as an example of a party sustained by a strong ideological foundation that has enabled it to endure decades of political change.
He argued that most political parties in Nigeria function more like personal platforms rather than structured democratic institutions driven by collective ideals.
“Nigerian political parties are caricatures of what they should be. A party should be an assembly of people with common ideas on how to govern society. It should be the engine room of democracy,” he said.
Akhaine linked issues such as flawed primaries, vote manipulation, and the imposition of candidates on internal party weaknesses caused by the absence of ideology.
He also expressed concern over what he described as a leadership deficit in the country, calling for a new generation of leaders guided by vision and integrity.
On the issue of godfatherism, he said the practice thrives in environments where party structures are weak and unaccountable.
He added that strengthening internal democracy and building membership-driven parties with transparent processes would reduce the influence of political godfathers.
Akhaine urged political actors and citizens to support the development of parties that reflect democratic ideals, stressing that this is key to achieving better governance and national development.