Political Ground Standing, Party Politics and The Democratization Process in Nigeria: Lagos State & Edo State in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

Despite the centrality of elections in emerging democracies, party politics, elites, and political ground standing, the intra-party feud between  godfather and godson has negatively impacted these nations' democratization process. Based on Elite Theory and secondary data sources, this  study interrogates the impact of the political feud (ground standing) between godfather and godson on party politics and the democratization  process in Lagos and Edo States of, Nigeria. The study argues that their outcomes varied while the build-up to gubernatorial elections witnessed  similar political feuds and intra-party fracas. Thus, political godfathers' influence, power, and authority are not necessarily enough to predict the  outcome of elections, party politics, and the democratization process. Therefore, political parties need to ensure that more regulatory means are  adopted to reduce the overbearing influence of political godfathers on party politics, provide equal political opportunities for members and ensure  that party activities are carried out with utmost regard for the rule of law. This underscores the need to deepen Nigeria's democratic practice from  merely celebrating democratic transitions to imbibing core democratic principles.