Political parties

The Meaning of Political Parties

Political parties can be seen as an organization of citizens bound together by common interest in the nation’s politics, and having the desire to contest elections with the aim of forming government. It can also be seen as organized groups of people that share common political beliefs, values, philosophies, ideologies and interest with the motive of contesting and winning elections so as to control the machinery of government. Furthermore political parties can also be refer to as organize group of individuals who share same political ideologies, beliefs, and interests and who are seeking to win elections and control the state power and machinery of government. That is to say, a political party is a group of dedicated people who come together to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy.

For any political party to contest for election in Nigeria, it must meet the electoral requirements and conditions as stipulated in the electoral act and constitution and must have registered with independent national electoral commission (INEC). It is worthy to note at this point that Nigeria operates a multiparty system.

The Organization of Political Parties

There is no unique basic pattern for the organization of political parties. In some countries, there are party laws that define some basic requirements which parties have to meet. Mostly, these particularly refer to the respect of intra-party democratic procedures for the selection of party leaders and some general organizational elements. With regard to the composition of the party and its competences, there is a wide range of organizational solutions. The hierarchical organization of a political party often corresponds to the administrative division of a country, i.e., the parties have local organizations, municipal or district organizations, provincial or regional organizations, and finally a national organization. Numerous parties have, in addition, functional divisions, which are similar to the division of the three powers of the state: the intra-party party tribunal for the resolutions of conflicts (Judiciary), which can punish and even expel party members for acts that may damage the public image of a party; the general assembly or party conventions (Legislature); and the party executive (Executive). Some parties have, furthermore, an extended board with representatives of the subordinate party organizations.

However, the following terms are used to structure most political parties.

Organization of Political Parties

1. National Executive Council:This is the highest decision making body for any political party. The seat of government is known as the national secretariat of the party which is always located at the federal capital- Abuja. Here the national offices take decisions for the party. The party organizes all national elections.
2. State branch:Every political party has its branches in almost all states of the federation in the capital of each state. They equally have state officers directing the affairs in the state. They are to organize state and local government elections and nominate candidates for national positions.
3. Local government branch:Every part is supposed to have its local government branches with some officers to control affairs of the party at the local government areas.
4. Ward level:This is the smallest unit of any political party and the parties have their own officers to control state affairs in the ward area.
5. Youth wing:This is the militant wing of any party. They help to propagate and promote the image of the party at all levels.

1. General convention or congress: This is the highest body of the party responsible for making policy. It is the meeting of all elected representatives of the party from the ward level up to the national level to discuss and approve issues brought before it by the national executive council.
2. Board of trustees: Made up of top officials members of the party Example Chairman, secretary etc.
3. National Secretariat: Headquarters of the party where administrative work of the party is carried out
4. National Working committee: They take important party decision or deal with a particular subject.
5. National Conference/Convention: It is a gathering of delegates from the various states of the country. Their decision is final in all matters concerning the party. Leaders of the party are elected by the Convention of party members.
6. Regional/State branches: Every state has a party chairman and officials. It coordinates party activities at the state level. However, they report to the national secretariat.
7. Affiliated bodies:These include the Youth wing and women wing of the party. They mobilize the youths and women during elections.
8. Constituency Branches: Every card-holding member must belong to a constituency.
9. Local government branches: This is local government branch of the party.
10. Ward Branches: Smallest unit of the party. There are leaders in the ward branches.

Characteristics or Features of a Political Party

Political parties generally have the following features:

1. Political parties are organized groups based on the electoral commission’s laid down rules.
2. They aim at contesting elections, gaining political power and ruling a country.
3. They are made of people who share similar political opinions, principles, interests and beliefs.
4. They have ideologies they tend to implement when they come to power.
5. They are guided by different political party manifesto.
6. They abide by conventional principle of collective and individual responsibility.
7. They use persuasive rather than coercive means in coming to power.

The Functions of Political Parties

Political parties perform the following functions:

1. They articulate and aggregate social interests: Parties express public expectations and demands of social groupings to the political system (function of political opinion-making).
2. They recruit political personnel and nurture future generations of politicians: They select persons and present them as candidates for elections (function of selection).
3. They develop political programmes: Parties integrate various interests into a general political project and transform it into a political programme, for which they campaign to receive the consent and support of a majority (function of integration).
4. They promote the political socialization and participation of citizens: Parties create a link between citizens and the political system; they enable political participation of individuals and groupings with the prospect of success. (Function of socialization and participation).
5. They organize the government. They participate in elections to occupy political charges. Normally in party democracies, a good part of government authorities arise from political parties (function of exercising political power).
6. They contribute to the legitimacy of the political system: In establishing the connection between citizens, social groupings and the political system, the parties contribute in anchoring the political order in the consciousness of the citizens and in social forces (function of legitimating).
7. Access to government machinery and welfare schemes: For an ordinary citizen, it is easy to approach a local party leader than a government officer. That is why they feel close to parties even when they do not fully trust them. Parties have to be responsive to people’s needs and demands.
8. Mobilize Voters: Political parties inform and energize their members. They send out brochures, run media campaigns, knock on doors, and call voters on the phone. Individual candidates can do the same thing, but parties maintain elaborate networks of state and local offices that can be immediately pressed into the service of a candidate once the party nomination is secured. In addition, parties have fundraising apparatuses in place that simplify their candidates’ ability to finance their campaigns.
9. Facilitate Governance: Parties also bring order to the process of policymaking. As party members, individual politicians have a ready-made group of allies that will usually cooperate with their efforts to pass and implement legislation. At the national level, this means that a rookie Congressperson arrives with a network of allies that will support his efforts and that he must support in turn. In addition, party alliances close the gap between the legislative and executive branches. While separated by the Constitution, the existence of political parties narrows the distance between the branches and helps them work together.
10. Monitor the Opposing Party in Power: Parties also serve as critical watchdogs for the public. The adversarial relationship between the major parties ensures that the party out of power (not in possession of the presidency) will keep a close eye on its opponent and notify the public of any wrongdoing or policy misstep.

Types of Political Parties

1. Elitist/Cadre Parties: Members are made up of people with high social status and standing like intellectuals, doctors, lawyers, tycoons, traditional rulers.
2. Mass Parties: Members are drawn from all sections of the society and their manifestoes are aimed at eradicating the sufferings of the masses.
3. Broker Parties: Members are drawn from upper and lower classes of the society. They carry out policies of social justice for the interest of all.
4. Missionary or Religious Parties: These are formed based on religious sentiments in order to win votes.
5. Charismatic or personality parties: These are political parties formed or led by individuals with charisma e.g. U.P.N with late Chief Awolowo.
6. Ideological Parties: These are political parties which are based on different political ideologies or beliefs which form the basis of existence of these parties. Example are- the communist party of Russia, Chinese Socialist Party, Fascist Party of Italy etc.

EVALUATION

1. Define political party.
2. State the organization of political structure.
3. Highlight five (5) features of political parties.
4. Briefly discuss five (5) functions of political parties.