A leadership expert and Chief Executive of the Institute for Research and Capacity Development in Port Harcourt, George Ahunaya, has called for the abolition of the political party system in Nigeria, describing it as a major obstacle to the country’s democratic development.
Speaking in an interview with our reporter in Port Harcourt, Prof. Ahunaya argued that the existing party-based political structure has weakened Nigeria’s democracy and contributed to the emergence of unqualified leaders.
According to him, findings from his research indicate that the political party system has created significant distortions in the nation’s political landscape and has failed to promote genuine democratic values.
“The political party system in Nigeria has deeply damaged the system,” he said. “It is largely responsible for the emergence of the wrong leaders and candidates into positions of authority.”
Ahunaya noted that party politics has introduced unhealthy practices into the country’s political environment, including manipulation, exclusion, and the prioritization of personal or party interests above national development.
He said the system often sidelines credible individuals who may not belong to dominant political structures, thereby limiting opportunities for competent citizens to contribute meaningfully to governance.
“The system has created a wrong political culture. It allows internal party politics and loyalty to determine who becomes a candidate, rather than competence or the genuine desire to serve the people,” he added.
The leadership expert warned that the situation has continued to erode public trust in governance and has weakened the quality of leadership in the country.
As an alternative, Ahunaya advocated the adoption of a governance model he described as “directocracy,” which allows citizens to participate more directly in decision-making through referendums.
According to him, such a system would reduce the influence of political manipulation and elite control while enabling citizens to play a more active role in selecting leaders and shaping public policies.
“For directocracy, or what is popularly known as referendums, I consider it a lesser evil compared to the current political party system,” he said. “It gives the people the opportunity to make direct decisions and ensures the emergence of leaders who are willing to serve selflessly.”
Ahunaya urged policymakers, scholars, and civil society organisations to begin a national conversation on alternative democratic models that could strengthen accountability, transparency, and citizen participation in Nigeria’s governance system.
He stressed that reforming the country’s political structure is essential if Nigeria is to achieve genuine democratic development and responsible leadership.
