Of “Dominant Parties” and the Lessons of History

By Kingsley Moghalu

News of exploratory discussions for a breakaway third party from the US Republican Party should not be surprising. I foresaw the likely eventual breakup of the US Republican Party after it became "the party of Trump", i.e. a personality cult, in recent years. If this happens, it will support my thesis that there is nothing inevitable about the PDP and APC in Nigeria.

I've always told those skeptical about the possibilities outside of these two Nigerian political platforms, who cite "the two party structure in America", that they are comparing apples and oranges. The two parties in America are ideological. What's the difference between APC and PDP?

Many politicians wake up inside PDP and go the bed in the APC, and vice versa. That's very different from a 200 year old, largely ideological democracy. Even then, political parties in America mutated and evolved over decades. Even on issues such as slavery, the Republican party of Abraham Lincoln led the fight against slavery which resulted in the American Civil War, with Democrats resisting the abolition of slavery. Over the past 70 years, the two parties have switched roles on civil rights issues as arch-conservatives gained ascendancy in the Republican Party in the early 60s (Barry Goldwater & co) while President Lyndon Johnson (Democrat) got the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act passed. And now, there is a distinct possibility of a split in the Republican Party.

In Nigeria, the PDP was boasting in 2012 or so that it would rule Nigeria for 60 years. Within three years it had lost power to a new formation, the APC. From a one party-dominant polity to a two-party dominant one. As Nigerians progressively realize that these parties have strong "structures" that win elections but can't govern us effectively, the reality on the ground can shift again ahead of or in 2023 with the way things are going in our country.

While I am not naively indifferent to the “advantages” the two parties currently have, the real issue is, or should be, whether Nigeria’s democracy is serving Nigerian citizens or whether it is serving only the politicians. I predict that this fundamental question will assume rising importance in the coming months. Absent true new blood as their faces to the electorate, the two parties will be progressively be weakened by their internal contradictions.

I am not one of those who have surrendered to the "conventional wisdom" of the deity status and inevitably of the APC and PDP. I am a student of history. We all should be.

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic. Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation. Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...

#Watchvideo : SECURITY FORCES BURST THE CAMP OF UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AKOKWA

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Valentine Ozigbo Resigns from Labour Party

In a shocking move, against all speculations over the last few days, Valentine Ozigbo, a close ally of Peter Obi, has announced his resignation from the Labour Party (LP). Ozigbo confirmed his decision to Diaspora Digital Media on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, but declined to provide further details, opting instead to share his reasons during an interactive session on X (Twitter) Space. The session, scheduled for 8 PM, will feature Ozigbo in conversation with Anambra's First Son, @uchepokoye, discussing pressing issues affecting Anambra State, including security challenges, societal fabric collapse, and the hope for a better future. Ozigbo's resignation has sparked interest, with many awaiting his detailed explanation for leaving the Labour Party. His decision comes at a critical time for the party, which has been navigating various challenges in recent months. Credit: Diaspora Digital Media

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