Quest for internal party democracy in Nigeria: Amendment of electoral act 2010 as an albatross

Abstract

The conduct of a credible election has been hinged on many factors. One of them is a well-developed internal party democracy. This assertion underscores the quest for internal democracy among the various political parties in Nigeria. Before the enactment of the Electoral Act 2010, stakeholders had argued that Nigeria needs an Electoral law that will incorporate procedures / steps that will guarantee internal party democracy. This explained the robust acceptance of the Electoral Act 2010. This Act, contained specific provisions dealing with internal party democracy particularly, as it affect the nomination of candidates for elections. The Act further provides that where these procedures are not followed, an aggrieved candidate can apply to the High Court of a State or the Federal High Court for redress. Also, the Act provides that where cases of non-compliance and violations of its provisions particularly those sections dealing with internal party democracy has been established before a court, the court is empowered by the Act to make an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the name(s) of such candidate(s) for that election. This paper therefore seek to examine the recent amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 particularly the sections dealing with the nomination of candidate for election and posit that the amendment were an albatross to the quest for internal party democracy in Nigeria. Key word: Credible election, political party, internal party democracy, Nigerian electoral acts.