Editorial: Direct primaries, illusion of internal democracy in Nigeria’s political parties

The conduct of direct primaries by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in recent years was widely presented as a revolutionary step toward strengthening internal democracy within Nigeria’s political system.

Supporters argued that allowing all registered party members to participate in choosing candidates would reduce the influence of godfathers, curb manipulation by party elites, and deepen grassroots participation. On paper, it sounded democratic, inclusive, and progressive.

However, the reality emerging from many APC primaries across the country has raised serious concerns about whether direct primaries have truly enhanced democracy or merely created another avenue for political manipulation.

One of the major controversies surrounding the exercise has been the questionable inflation of membership figures and voting numbers in several states.

In many instances, figures announced after the primaries appeared disconnected from realities on the ground. Reports of overcrowded membership registers, sudden emergence of unfamiliar party members, and suspiciously high turnout figures have fueled allegations that results were predetermined long before votes were cast.

Rather than empowering ordinary party members, the process in some areas became a contest of influence, logistics, and control.

Political actors with access to state structures and financial resources allegedly dominated the system, while genuine grassroots members were sidelined.

In certain constituencies, complaints emerged that delegates or party loyalists were denied participation despite the so-called “direct” nature of the exercise.

This situation raises a troubling question: can a primary election truly be described as democratic when transparency is absent, and figures are manipulated to suit political interests?

The APC may not be alone in this challenge. Internal democracy remains one of the weakest aspects of Nigeria’s political culture. Across major political parties, candidate selection processes are often marred by imposition, intimidation, monetisation, and lack of accountability.

Yet, because the APC strongly promoted direct primaries as a superior democratic model, the party carries greater responsibility to ensure credibility in its implementation.

Democracy is not merely about conducting elections; it is about trust in the process. When party members begin to doubt the authenticity of figures announced during primaries, confidence in the entire political system erodes.

Citizens who already feel disconnected from governance may become even more disillusioned, believing that political outcomes are determined not by popular will but by powerful interests operating behind closed doors.

For Nigeria’s democracy to mature, political parties must go beyond rhetoric and embrace genuine reforms.

Membership registers should be transparent and verifiable. Independent monitoring mechanisms within parties should be strengthened. Security agencies and electoral authorities must ensure fairness, while party leaders must resist the temptation to manipulate outcomes for short-term political advantage.

The future of democracy in Nigeria depends not only on general elections but also on the credibility of the internal processes that produce candidates.

If direct primaries are to survive as a democratic innovation, they must reflect openness, fairness, and genuine participation, not inflated figures and predetermined outcomes.

Anything less would reduce internal democracy to a mere political slogan.