A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has raised concerns over what he described as excessive control of political parties by elected executives, warning that the trend is eroding Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
Speaking during a radio programme monitored in Abeokuta, Showunmi lamented that presidents and governors now dominate party structures, making it increasingly difficult to hold them accountable within their own political organisations.
According to him, this pattern has weakened party institutions and triggered persistent internal crises across Nigeria’s political landscape.
He traced the roots of the development to the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, noting that it was during that era that the practice of positioning the president as party leader became entrenched, with governors replicating the model at the state level.
“This arrangement contradicts democratic norms,” Showunmi said, stressing that political parties should be managed by their internal structures rather than by elected officeholders.
He argued that in a functional democracy, aspirants rely on party leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots members to secure nominations, adding that it becomes problematic when those elected later assume total control of the same party machinery.
Describing the trend as a “major anathema,” the PDP stalwart said it has undermined internal democracy, weakened party cohesion, and contributed to rising defections as members feel sidelined after elections.
Showunmi also pointed to recurring tensions between presidents and vice presidents, as well as governors and their deputies, warning that such conflicts have deepened mistrust and reduced the effectiveness of deputy leadership within party systems.
He called for urgent reforms to separate executive power from party administration, urging stakeholders to rebuild political parties as independent and democratic institutions.
“Until parties are strengthened beyond personalities and executive dominance, Nigeria will continue to grapple with instability and internal crises,” he warned.