GODFATHERISM AND CREDIBLE PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA:A STUDY OF 2015 GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARIES OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) IN KADUNA STATE

Abstract

The Conduct of 2015 Gubernatorial Primaries by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has been marred by irregularities and flaws. The improper conduct of this important segment of internal democracy became a great challenge facing the party which has its root from the zero sum nature of politics in the state, godfatherism, money politics, powerful influence of elite, incumbency factor, exclusiveness of rank-and-file members in Party Primaries and infact; this has left in its wake wanton destruction of party ideology, democratic practices and values, lives and properties. The study examines the nature, character and dynamics of 2015 PDP Gubernatorial Primaries in Kaduna state. The research adopted the Elite Theory in the analysis of godfather
politics in Nigeria. The researcher made use of the multi-stage sampling technique to get the population of the study. The State was clustered into three (3) senatorial zones from where two (2) Local Government Areas were selected from each. From these, the Adhoc delegates were systematically selected for the interview. Data was presented using simple percentage statistical
method. The interpretation of the analyzed data as it related to the objectives of the study was presented in a tabular form. Finally, the research has been able to find out that, there was no internal democracy in Kaduna state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party between 1999-2015 as a result of some major challenges that are identified as follows; godfatherism, money politics, influence of powerful elite, incumbency factor, neglecting rank-and-file members in most decisions affecting party primaries, the application of federal character principles, rural-cosmopolitan politics and ethno-religious factor. The research also recommends that;Party members must be allowed to freely elect those who will carry their party’s flag during the general election.