IRI Policy Brief Examines the Role of Political Parties in Nigeria’s Path to Democracy

Abuja, Nigeria – On track to become one of the world’s most populous countries by 2064, Nigeria plays a critical role in the region and across the globe. The peaceful transfer of power in 2015 increased confidence among Nigerians that credible elections are achievable and that their results would be respected. However, the flaws evident during the 2019 general elections – compounded by the increasingly diffuse nature of security challenges in the country – have stymied enthusiasm for democracy, threatening to destabilize one of the continent’s leading democracies.

The International Republican Institute (IRI) has collaborated with political parties in Nigeria since 1998 to support Nigeria’s democratic development, an effort that helped lay the groundwork for the country’s successful 2015 elections. In an effort to further enhance the responsiveness and transparency of political parties in Nigeria, IRI has released a policy briefing that examines the development of political parties, their role in the country’s democracy, the remaining challenges for Nigeria’s political parties and our recommendations for strengthening their performance. With general elections scheduled for 2023, it is critical that Nigeria’s political parties address citizen needs and continue to build upon the country’s democratic gains.

Read the brief here.