Reassessing Ethnic-based Party Formation, Proliferation and Political Instability in Nigeria: A Periscope into the Future

Abstract

This paper examined the manifestations of ethnic cleavage and identity on party formation and proliferation in Nigeria’s political landscape. Nigeria is unarguably a country with multi-ethnic nationalities with each group intermingling with another in the tussle for political power. From independence until the Fourth Republic, the nation’s social structure in terms of heterogeneity has significantly influenced electoral politics. This raises germane concerns as to why the formation of political parties in the country tilts more towards ethnic attachment and is bereft of ideological leanings, unlike what is obtainable in advanced democracies. From a historical-descriptive perspective, the paper unfolded the bases for the rise of ethnic-based political parties as well as justified the contention that ethnic-based considerations in the political process have contributed to political instability in Nigeria. Moreover, the paper authenticated the fact that ethnic-based parties featured prominently in the early years of independence and afterwards, resulting in regime displacements and that ethnicity is still a foremost determinant of party formation and political contests in contemporary Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Consequently, the paper recommended, prominently, that political party leaders should avoid actions that could heat the Nigerian polity up and eventually plunge the country into crisis with attendant political instability; rather they should focus on issues that will promote political integration and cohesion among ethnic nationalities within the country.