Abstract
The central argument in this chapter is that although political parties are formal institutions in nature and character, the processes through which they make decisions and influence public policy and governance processes in Nigeria are increasingly tilting towards non-formalisation. In other words, the processes are largely influenced by groups such as market traders’ associations, town unions, ethno-nationalist and religious groups, civil society organisations (CSOs), among others, which are outside the realms of the state. The reasons for the increasing influence of the non-formal structures are located in certain factors, namely, the nature and structure of the Nigerian state, which has informed the kind of relationship between the state and the people. In Nigeria, citizens find voices and greater sense of belonging in informal structures than in state institutions. Thus, they relate with state institutions such as political parties more through these structures than as individuals. Other factors that explain the influence of the informal structures include the character of Nigeria’s ruling-class elite. The chapter further argues that the implications of the increasing influence on the decision-making and governance process of political parties are that the interests being pursued by political parties and interest groups as formal institutions do not bear the imprints of national considerations. They rather reflect the interests of the leaders of informal structures who shape the policy agenda of political parties and by extension, the government. This has continued to have an impact on service delivery by the state in terms of inclusivity and accountability. Based on the findings, the chapter projects that for a very long time, political parties will continue to serve as veritable instruments in the hands of those who control informal institutions to agitate for and ensure the implementation of policy and governance agenda that serve their limited interests.
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Ogbonnaya, U.M. (2022). Non-formal Actors and the Governance of Political Parties in Nigeria. In: Ibeanu, O., Okoye, I.'., Alumona, I.M., Aniche, E.T. (eds) Anonymous Power. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6058-0_4
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