Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, has urged political parties to strengthen internal democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections
Sulaiman stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at a public lecture organised by the institute on Nigeria’s political transition to 2027.
The lecture, titled “Nigeria’s Political Transition to 2027: Challenges and Opportunities for Multi-Party Democracy,” examined issues shaping Nigeria’s democratic development ahead of the polls.
According to the Director General, the 2027 elections present an opportunity to assess the health of Nigeria’s democratic system and identify ways to strengthen institutions.
He said the effectiveness of multi-party democracy depended on strong political parties, open internal processes, alternative policy choices, and commitment to democratic values.
Sulaiman further stated that political parties should not be regarded merely as vehicles for winning elections but as institutions for political recruitment and leadership development.
He said the rapid expansion of digital and social media had transformed political communication and created opportunities for increased participation and civic engagement among citizens.
He, however, warned that misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and politically motivated narratives could distort public debate, deepen divisions, and undermine confidence in democratic institutions.
In his goodwill message, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Jungudo, said the party had survived turbulent times and internal crises, adding that it was now fully prepared to participate in the 2027 general elections.
Jungudo expressed PDP’s commitment to a seamless, smooth, and peaceful transition, maintaining that it had remained law-abiding throughout its internal disputes.
The chairman of the Council of Chiefs in Kwali Area Council, Luka Ayedoo, commended NILDS for strengthening democratic capacity and providing deeper governance insights.
He also lauded Nigerians for their resilience and commitment to democracy in spite of challenges, saying that the country had continued to learn and improve its democratic processes over time.
Earlier, the guest speaker, Prof. Rufai Alkali, who took participants through the evolution of political transition from 1960 to date, said it was impossible to have a one-party democracy in Nigeria.
Alkali noted that Nigeria’s experience of multi-party democracy had revealed that the country often tends to move toward one dominant party system rather than a one-party state.
He referenced the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the Second Republic (1979-1983) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its 16-year reign (1999-2015) in the Fourth Republic.
“It contends that the ruling party’s dominance is driven, not just by its own strategies but by the internal fragmentation, leadership challenges, and organizational weaknesses of the opposition,” he said.
