Jettison Internal Democracy In Name Of Consensus Is Breeding Dictators In Our Political Parties – Ex-Minister Oyelese

Elder statesman, former Minister of Power, and Convener of the Masses Coalition, Elder Wole Oyelese,  has warned against the growing abandonment of internal democracy within Nigeria’s political parties under the guise of consensus arrangements, describing the trend as a dangerous path capable of breeding dictators, tyrants, and political emperors.

Elder Oyelese said while consensus remains a recognised democratic option when genuinely agreed upon by all stakeholders, what currently operates in many political parties is far from true consensus. Rather, it has become a tool for imposition, intimidation, suppression, and exclusion of party members from the decision-making process.

He noted that the recent emergence of candidates through consensus arrangements has generated disputes and heightened political tensions across the country. In many cases, after political parties announced consensus candidates, aggrieved aspirants and supporters still insisted on direct primaries, alleging manipulation and injustice. Even where parties eventually forced through consensus choices, serious discontent and hidden grievances remained within their ranks.

According to him, democracy loses its true essence when party members are denied the opportunity to freely choose their leaders through transparent and competitive processes. He stressed that internal democracy remains the foundation upon which credible democratic governance must stand.

Elder Oyelese also lamented the suppression and exclusion of ordinary Nigerians through outrageous nomination and electoral fees imposed by political parties. He argued that many competent and visionary Nigerians are systematically pushed aside because they cannot afford the huge financial demands attached to political participation.

“When politics becomes the exclusive preserve of the wealthy and politically connected, democracy itself is endangered,” he warned.

The Masses Coalition Convener further identified massive poverty as another major threat to democracy in Nigeria. According to him, widespread poverty makes citizens vulnerable to manipulation, vote-buying, and exploitation by desperate politicians who weaponise hunger and hardship for political gain.

He warned that the combination of poverty, corruption, candidate imposition, and weak institutions creates fertile ground for electoral manipulation and eventual full-blown dictatorship.

Elder Oyelese equally condemned the rising level of corruption within the political system, stressing that some political actors now use money, influence, propaganda, and state power to dominate party structures and silence opposing voices.

He therefore called on political leaders, electoral institutions, and Nigerians generally to rise in defence of democracy before selfish political interests completely weaken democratic institutions.

According to him, transparent primaries, inclusiveness, accountability, fairness, and genuine participation of party members must remain central to democratic politics.

He warned that history has consistently shown that whenever democratic values are weakened and dissenting voices suppressed, societies gradually drift towards authoritarianism and instability.

“Democracy must never become the endorsement of decisions already taken by a few powerful individuals. Once the people lose their voice within political parties, dictatorship begins to wear the garment of democracy,” he concluded.