Athena Centre Says Multiparty System Must Offer Credible, Distinct Alternatives
The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership says the beauty of a multi party democratic environment lies in the availability of credible and distinct alternatives to the electorate.
The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership in its Athena Election Observatory publication entitled “Nigeria’s Democracy and the Imperative of Competitive”.
The centre in the publication signed by Chief Osita Chidoka, its Executive Director said Nigerians must be able to choose among credible alternatives which differed in visions, policies, and leadership.
Athena Election Observatory (AEO) Policy series is an initiative which focuses on analysing Nigeria’s electoral environment, political competition, and institutional dynamics.
The Centre regretted that internal party disputes, leadership legitimacy contest and lack of organisational alliances foundations were dominating public discussion instead of party manifestos and ideologies.
“Elections may still take place, but their capacity to produce accountable and representative outcomes are weakened.
“This is particularly significant in the context of Nigeria’s 2027 electoral cycle.
“The period leading up to elections is when parties define their identities, articulate their programmes, and build public trust.
“A democracy in which competition is weak, fragmented, or poorly structured risks producing outcomes that lack both legitimacy and durability.
“Democracy depends not only on the occurrence of elections, but on the credibility of the choices presented to citizens,” it said.
Athena Election Observatory said the political developments suggest that the structure of political competition in Nigeria was becoming more fragile and less predictable.
The Centre cited the leadership dispute within leading opposition parties as some of the signs of structural weakness and inconsistencies in the political framework of the country.
“Alliances are formed, actors reposition, and coalitions emerge, but the rules governing internal party democracy, leadership legitimacy, and dispute resolutions remain contested or underdeveloped.
“Where the structure of competition is unstable, opaque, or overly personalised, the quality of democratic choice is diminished.
“The mere existence of multiple political parties is not enough to guarantee meaningful competition.
“For democracy to function effectively, parties must operate within clear and predictable institutional frameworks,” it said.
The centre said the Independent National Electoral Commission occupied an important position and should ensure that its positions and pronouncements were consistent, procedural, clear and impartial.
