Abdulwahab Lawal, Director of Research at the Savannah Center for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, has warned that lack of internal democracy in political parties in Nigeria could eventually lead to dictatorial leadership.

According to the retired Nigerian Army Colonel, the absence of democratic culture in political parties is a perversion of democracy itself.

Lawal, in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin, described the country’s democracy as “a hybrid of dictatorship.”

Describing democracy as the best option for Nigeria, he said:

“Democracy itself simply means participation; Whatever affects you, you should and should continue to be consulted in the decision-making process; It is not a system where decisions are imposed on people.

“But I think our variant in our country is more hybridity, hybrid democracy. It’s a democracy with a lot of dictatorship in it.

“Our political parties need to be governed democratically. But as it is today, even our political parties are not very democratic. These are dictatorial and this is against democracy.

“When we talk about real democracy, it should be free and there should be no impositions. “You should only engage in good governance, which refers to transparency, openness, honesty, accountability and the rule of law,” he emphasized.

Lawal stated that the ongoing insurgency in the country can be resolved through optimization of good governance rather than relying on force alone.

He called on the government to prioritize people’s basic needs such as food and security, adding that the use of force alone could not end insecurity in the country.

Lawal also noted that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq provided a take-off fund of N100 million for the Kwara Education Trust Fund, describing it as a “kind and good gesture”.

He expressed optimism that the governor would raise the standard of education in the state and urged citizens to support him in this endeavour.