PARTY PRIMARIES IN NIGERIA AND THE ELECTORAL CHOICE OF PARTY MEMBERS: THE STUDY OF EMERGENCE OF PARTY CANDIDATES IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This research work attempts an in-depth appraisal of Political Party Primaries and Electoral Choice of Party Members in Nigeria with Anambra State as a case study (2003-2010). The study reveals that the political parties’ nomination of candidates for different elective positions in Anambra State did not reflect the electoral choice of members of the parties. It was established that such factors as god-fatherism, economic power, ‘son-ofthe-soil’ syndrome etc militated against the ability of the parties to nominate candidates based on free and fair voting formula. In view of the above revelations, the study recommends among others that an agency should be set up to monitor political parties’ nomination processes to ensure free and fair voting rooted in internal democracy. This among others, will safeguard the rights of the party members in choosing party candidates for a better democratic outcome in Nigeria in general and Anambra state in particular.