Internal Party Democracy and Governorship Performance in Lagos State, Nigeria (2003–2018)

Abstract

The need to examine the problem of governorship performance that has become a recurring feature in all states in Nigeria necessitates this study. To know the implications of internal party democracy on governorship performance in Nigeria, this study examines internal party democracy and governorship performance in Lagos between 2003 and 2018.The objectives of the study are to i) examine the relationship between party candidate selection and governorship performance in Lagos states; ii) examine the impact of party ideology on governorship performance in Lagos States from 2003-2018; The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, while data were gathered from primary and secondary sources. Interviews were conducted with state and ward chairman, ward secretary, stakeholders and civil servant from Lagos states APC and PDP. Secondary data was generated from textbooks, journal, internet materials etc. Descriptive statistics and correlational analysis were used to analysed data and test the null hypotheses at 0.05 levels of significance. The findings revealed that there were significant relationship in party candidate selection and party ideology in Lagos State. This means that there is a strong connection or association between how political parties choose their candidates and the ideological principles or beliefs of the parties in Lagos State.  Based on the findings it was recommended among others that Party members must be allowed to freely elect those who will carry their party‘s flag during the general election. Political parties must evolve political ideologies and their activities must be guided by the ideologies they so represent.