1. POLITICAL IDEOLOGY AND PARTY POLITICS: THE CASE OF PDP
(PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY)
BY GODSONAZU
Abstract
Lookingat the state of affairsin Nigerianpolitical systemanditsdemocratictransition,the most
arguable andwidelychallengingissue, of itspoliticaldiscoursehasremainedthe derivative factors,
and strands of the political ideologyof the keymajorpolitical partiesinthe country.Forexample;
PDP,APC,APUGA,LABOUR and SDP. But on thisarticle emphaseswouldbe laidonthe principles
and belief systemof the People’sDemocraticParty,PDP.
Followingthese very crucial debates,andfindingthe bestwayforward,amtakingtime-outtolookat
the actual meaningandmoderntrendsof political ideology,whileatthe same time makingkey
reference pointswithmyfindstowhatisobtainable withinourpolitical system.
To start withit isimportantto have an openmindedviewonthe subjectmatter,consideringthe fact
that ideologyiscentral toanypolitical formation,withadirectorindirectdemocracyaroundthe
world. Everypolitical partyinmodernpoliticsissupposedlyformedorestablishedonone formof
ideologyorthe other,reflectingthe mindof the individualorgroupof individualsthathave decided
to come togetherwitha commonbelief, underone platform.The partymembershipand
followershiptendstobe basedonthe set pattiesbelief’s,valuesandprinciples,thesecouldbe
foundinmostcases indevelopedcountrieswithmuchmore consolidateddemocracies,suchasin
Europe and America.Ideologyrepresentsatypicallycrucial elementof political partiesandtheir
activities.Itisa setof ideasaboutpolitics,all of whichare relatedtoone anotherand thatmodify
and supporteachother.Thoughrelativelyenduring,itisyeta dynamicphenomenon,capableof
beingmodifiedbynewissues.Itwasinthislightthat PhilipsW.Shively(1997) definesanideologyas
“a continuallydeveloping,organizedsetof ideasaboutpoliticsthathelpsustomake sense of the
myriadof political questionsthatface use”.ForOkudibaNnoli,ideologytypifies“asystematizedand
interconnectedsetof ideasaboutthe socio-economicandpolitical organizationof societyasa
whole”(Nnoli,2003: 178).
The concept of ideology,is,historically,deeplyrootedinpoliticaltheory.Asaconcept,itwas coined
by the late eighteenthcenturyFrenchphilosopher,Destuttde Tracy(1754 – 1836). Accordingto
Nnoli (2003:177), Destuttde Tracy usedit to describe anew scientificdiscipline thatsystematically
studiesideas,emotionsandsensations –the science of ideas.Thisconceptionhassince changedand
ideologyhascome toembodythe ideasthemselves.Asaresultof the changes,ideologyhascome to
be presentedasa subjectrepresentingtwocontradictoryrealities–the goodand the bad, the
formerdepictingideologyas“a systemof thoughtthat animatessocial orpolitical action”,andthe
latteras a “misleading,illusoryorone-sidedcriticismorcondemnation”(cf Nnoli,2003:178-79).
This wasthe kindof debate thatdominatedpolitical discourse inthe mid- nineteenthcentury.For
instance,intheir:The GermanIdeology,Marx andEngels(1960) tooka swipe at Hegel andhis-co-
travellers,describingthemasideologistsof the bourgeoissystem, notarticulate aboutthe material

2. conditionsof social andpolitical life.Yet,theywentaheadtoarticulate anotherconceptionof
ideologybasedonclassanalysisasadevice forarticulatingthe conflictinginterestsof differentsocial
classes(Nnoli,2003:178).
Basic DefinitionsofIdeology:
An ideologyisdefinedasa“Set of beliefsaboutthe properorderof societyandhow itcan be
achieved”.EriksonandTedin(2003).
Ideologyisalsodefinedas“The sharedframeworkof mental modelsthatgroupof individuals
possessthatprovide bothaninterpretationof the environmentandaprescriptionasto how that
environmentshouldbe structured”.Denzau&North(1994/2000).
Goingby the two definitionsabove,if one acceptsthatideologyisshared;that ithelpsto interpret
the social order;and that itnormativelyspecifiesgoodandproperwaysof addressinglife’s
problems,thenitiseasytounderstandhow ideologyreflects andre-enforce whatpsychologists
mightreferto as relational,epistemicandexistential needsormotives.
Re-affirmingmyviewpointfromthe above,Iwouldliketoexpressalittle furtheronthe five key
principlesthatwouldhelptounderstandthe importance of ideologyinpartypolitics.
Five key Principles:
1. Elective Affinity:The forcesof mutual attractioninvolvingthe structure andcontentsof
belief systemsandthe motivesof theiradherents.
2. Relational Motives:The desire toaffiliate andestablishinterpersonal relationship neededfor
personal orsocial identification,solidaritywithothers,andsharedreality.
3. EpistemicMotives:The drive toreduce uncertainty,complexity,orambiguity,cognitive
preference forcertainty,structure,orderandor closure.
4. Existential Motive:The drive tomanage threateningcircumstances, apersonal searchfor
security,self-esteem, andmeaningof life.
5. SystemJustification:The motivationtodefend,bolsterandjustifythe statusquo;tendency
to viewcurrentsocial arrangementsasfair,legitimate,anddesirable.
Ideologiesalsoendeavourtodescribe orinterpretthe worldorderasit is,throughthe processof
assertionsorassumptionsabouthumannature,historical events,presentrealitiesandfuture
possibilities.Toenvisionthe worldorderasit is, certainlyspecifiesanacceptable meansof attaining
social,economicandpolitical ideals.Thistoa certainextentshowsthatdifferentideologies
representssociallysharedbutcompetingphilosophiesof life,andhow itshouldbe livedand
governed.
Lookingat the above argumentitsinvariablyclearthatthere isa huge misconceptionof what
political engagementis initsconceptual andpractical terms,or itsfunctionalityinview of the high
level of disconnectionamongpoliticiansandthe polity; consideringthe case of those whotendto
cross-carpetat randomwithabsolute rascality.Itisa verycommonPhilomenaeveninthe western
developeddemocraciesforpartyelectedofficersorpoliticianstodefectorcross-carpetfromone
party to the otherbut mostlybasedonideological differencesordisagreements;thus,inthe case of

3. Africanpoliticians,mostespeciallyNigerianelectedofficersorpartymemberstendtodosuch base
on selfishinterest,personal egoism,andindividualism.
There are twokeymajorpolitical partiesin Nigeria;of one isthe party ingovernment,while the
otherstandsas the oppositionparty.Forastrivingdemocracyanda revolvingsocietytogrow
politicallyitoughttohave ideologicallyandphilosophicallydrivenpolitical partiesondifferent
straightlinesof the debate orspectrum. The case of Nigerianpartypoliticsisquite different,here
youhave two majorpartieswithor withoutideologiesare sociallyandeconomicallydrivenbymen
whotaste after political power.
Common Ideological Trends:
1. Conservativism/Capitalism:Thisisasystemof governmentwherethe existinginstitutions
are maintained,emphasizingfree-enterprise andminimalgovernmentintervention;itcould
alsobe referredtoa “Right-Wing”thinkingpolitical systemapproachinwhichthe principle
meansof productionanddistributionare inprivate handsorindividuals.
2. Liberalism/Egalitarianism:Thisisreferredtoasa representativegovernment,withastrong
belief inlibertyandfreedom; free speech,abolitionof classprivilegeandstate protectionof
the citizen. A governmentsystemthatbeliefsinanequal societywere all citizenshas equal
rightsand life privileges.
3. Socialism/Populism:Thisisagovernmentsystem, withastrongbelief anddrive thatisbased
on the principle meansof production,distributionandexchange beingincommonor
collective ownership;inorderwordsitisseeingasa political systemof thinkingthat
demandsthe redistributionof resources,politicalpowerandeconomicownershiptothe
“CommonPeople”.
Usingthe above statedideological trends,one couldinvariablyidentifywithtwokeydimensional
approach of political thinking,whichverynoticeable inmanydevelopeddemocraciesinEurope and
America.Forinstance,takingthe case of Britain,where theyhave apolitical systemdrawninthe line
twoideological approach,the Right/Centre- Rightandthe Left/Centre- Left,alsosimilardebate
occurs aroundEurope withthe issuesof the Far-Rightandthe Far-Leftacrossmany countries. Butin
the case of Africanpoliticsit’sverydifficulttodeterminethe ideological trend,thoughinsouth
Africait couldbe saidthat there are some traces of dimensional challengesbetweensocialismand
conservatism.
inthe case of Nigerianpolitics, historicallysince independence;Nigerian’sexperience withpolitical
partiesdatesbackto the colonial era,andthe contemporaryincidencesof IntraandInter-party
squabblesassociatedwithpartypolitics,isnothingbutathrow-backtothe pastwhichis replete
withschisms,bickering,backbiting,intriguesviolence, packingandsackingof partymembers;the
presentistherefore,the reflectionof the past,showingthatthe same presentmaynotbe totally
differentfromthe past,andthe future notlikelytobe clearlydemarcatedfromthe present.(Agbaje,
2003). Duringthe first,secondandthirdrepublicsmostof the keypolitical systemswhereformed
base on the two strandsof political ideological trends, thatwere the core beliefsof thennationalist
leaders,suchas;Azikwe,Awolowo,Tafawa-Balawa,AhumaduBelloandEnestOkoli. There wasthis
dichotomybetweenthe Far-righconservatives of the North;the Far-leftsocialistof the South;the
Centre-rightNeo-Conservatives. The firstrepublichadthe NPCof Alh. AbubakarTafawa-
Balawa/AhumaduBello wasaFar-rightconservative ideological drivenplatform;the NCNCbyDr

4. Azikwe/M.I.OkparawasaCentre-rightConservative party; andthe AGof Chief Obafemi
Awolowo/Akintolawas aFar-leftSocialistparty inthe firstrepublicthere were seriesof cross-
carpeting,mergersandbrokenmarragesbetweenpartiesof differentpolitical ideologies;the second
republichadsimilarscenarioswithslightdifferencesinpartynames,butsustainedideological
directions,suchas;the NPN of Alh.ShahuSahgari/Chief Akinloye,whichwasalsoaCentralist-
Conservative party;the NPPof DrAzikwe/Ajasinwasstill aNeo-liberal Conservative party andUPN
of Chief Obafemi Awolowo/Chief BolaIge was areformedNeo-liberal Socialistparty; the second
republic;thenthe SPDof Alh.Baba-GanaKingbe andthe NRCof Chief TomIkimi of the aborted
thirdrepublic.
The two dimensional political thinking:
 The Leftist/Liberalthinkers: theseare people orpoliticiansandpolitical partiesthathave a
consciousbeliefinthe freedomof speechandthe rightto dissent;aclasslesssocietywitha
systemicprocessforredistributionof wealththroughawelfare state system,withacore
value tobrotherhood.LiberalismasaLeftistthinkingisapolitical ideologywiththe core
trendof equalityof opportunitywhichveryessential,andtoachieve thisend,believe that
everyact of discriminatorypracticesmustbe eliminated,aswell advocatesvigorouslyfor
publicpoliciesthathelpstoreduce oreliminate inequalities.
 The Rightist/Conservative:these are people orpoliticiansandpolitical partiesthatbeliefin
the core values of preservingorderthroughanevolvingauthorityandthe continuationof
the existingsocial order,withthe righttoprivate ownership.The conservativesbelievesand
maintainthe positionthatpeopleneedastrongleadershipinstitutions,firmlawsand strict
moral codes;theymost oftenbase theirclaimsonthe teachingsof religiousandtraditional
morality,andtendto underestimate the rational socialtheoriespropoundedbysecular
philosophers,economist,andoutstandingintellectuals.

5. It isimportanthere to see andunderstandthatone of the greatestproblemfacingmostpolitical
party structure and politicianscapacitybuildinginNigerianpoliticsisthe lackof consistence and
sustainabilityof core valuesandbeliefs;assuchthe level of carpetcrossingata ridiculous,
abandonedrecklessness,bypoliticianswhohave no feelingorquestforpolitical knowledge butthe
boringhungerforpolitical powerandrelevance,whichhasdelimitedthe basesof aproperpolitical
culture inthe society.
We have seeninresenttime the rate at whichpoliticians,partymembersare movingfromone
political partytoanother,as if travellingfromone towntoanotherwithoutdue regardsto
communitycultural andtraditional values.
Party isa body of menunited,for promoting by theirjoint endeavoursthe national interest,upon
some particular principle inwhich theyare all agreed. Edmund Burke 1770
The political partyhasbeenturnedintoa businessorganizationwhere the pecuniaryinterestsof
the leadershipare dominant;buttheyare able toaccess political powerandkeepitbecause of
theirabilitytomanipulate the citizenry”.The leadershipproblemhasbeenaperennial issuewith
the PDP since inceptionwithcountlessnumberof chairmenexitingthe positioninquestionable
mannersthusculminatingininternal wrangling.Recently,the squabblebetweenthe PDPand

6. the so called“NEWPDP” atteststo thiswhichbothersneitheronpartyaccountabilitytopeople
nor faultingthe governance stylebutonoccupyingstrategicpositionswithinthe partyhierarchy.
The fractionalizationof APP,APGA andCPCcallsforworry.It was ADand ANPPmergerin1999
to face the PDP.The foundationbeinglaidnow isalmostAPCmegaarrangementtoconfrontthe
monstrousPDP.Nigeriansimmediate reprieve forthe socio-economicsqualortheyfound
themselvesishingedonthe growingpopularityof the APC.However,the purportedrescue
missionof the APCisdebatable.The recruitsintothe party’sfoldare politiciansof diverse
origins,whowere suspiciousof eachotherbefore now,mainlycomingfromthe muchcriticized
PDP.The furore generatedbythe defectionof some governorsinandoutof PDP,37 members
of the House of Representatives,formervice presidentAtikuandothersisnoeureka.The
unitingintentionandulteriormotive maybe theirundoing.The questionnow is:Will itnotbe
oldwine ina newbottle?The belief of the electorate intheseemergingstructureswill be putto
testin lessthan6 weeks.The outcome of the processwill usherinanotherchapterin Nigeria’s
democraticdrive.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONSEQUENCESOF IDEOLOGY
Thus far,our reviewhasfocusedonthe dimensional structure anddiscursive contentsof left-
rightideologyaswell asitsmotivational antecedentsorfunctionalsubstructure.However,much
evidence suggeststhatacquisitionof the discursivesuperstructure—whichrequiresboth
exposure tothe ideological menucommunicated byinstitutional elitesaswell asthe ability and
motivationtoabsorbthe messages—hasimportantdownstreamsocial andpolitical
consequences.
Effectson the Evaluations of Issues,Parties,Candidates, and Other Attitude Objects
Perhapsthe mostobviousconsequence of ideological orientationisitsinfluenceon political
attitudesandbehaviourssuchasvoting. Manystudieshave shownthatthose whoidentifyas
liberal tendtoadoptissue positions thatare conventionallyrecognizedasleft-ofcentre,
evaluate liberal political figuresmore favourably,andvote forcandidatesof the left, whereas
those whoidentifyasconservative tend toadoptpositionsthatare right-of-centre,evaluate
conservative political figuresmore favourably, andvote forcandidatesonthe right.Infact,
ideology andpartisanship(which typicallyhasan ideological thrust) are amongthe strongestand
mostconsistentpredictorsof political preferences.
Moreover,left-rightdifferencesinevaluativepreferencesemerge inmanyareasoutside the
realmof formal politics.Forinstance, foundthatself-identifiedliberalswere significantlymore
favourable concerningforeignfilms,bigcities,poetry,tattoos,andforeigntravel,whereas
conservativesweremore favourable concerningfraternitiesandsororities,sportutilityvehicles,
drinkingalcohol,andwatchingtelevision.Findingssuchasthese strengthenthe case that
ideological dividesare,amongotherthings,personalitydivides,butthe directionof causalityis
still unknown.We suspectthatideologicalidentificationsbothreflect andreinforcesocial and
personal preferences,styles,andactivities,butthisisspeculativeandrequiresempirical
confrontationusingexperimental andlongitudinal researchdesigns.Atahigherlevel of
abstraction,ideologyalsopredictscitizens’general value orientations,withleftistsexhibiting
greateregalitarianismandopennesstochange thanrightists.

7. Ideologyas a System-JustifyingDevice
It shouldbe clearby nowthat we regardideology asnotmerelyanorganizingdevice ora
shortcutfor makingheuristicjudgmentsabout variouspoliticalobjects;itisalsoadevice for
explainingandevenrationalizingthe waythings are or,alternatively,how thingsshouldbe
differentthantheyare.Thus,political ideologies typicallymake atleasttacitreference to some
social system,eitherasan affirmation ora rejectionof it.The powerof ideologytoexplainand
justify discrepanciesbetweenthe currentsocial order andsome alternative notonlymaintains
supportfor the statusquo,but also servesforits adherentsthe palliative functionof alleviating
dissonance ordiscomfortassociatedwiththe awarenessof systemicinjustice orinequality.
SightedfromPolitical Ideology:ItsStructures,FunctionsandElective Affinities. (J.T.Jost,C.M.
Federico,andJ.L.Napier.2009).
WHAT IS PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY IDEOLOGY
THE PDP
The People'sDemocraticPartyisa political partyinNigeria.Itsideological strandgenerallylies
towardsthe right wingof the centre,of the political spectrum.IthaswoneveryPresidentialand
general electionsince 1999, maintainsthe same ideological stand,andhasremainedthe dominant
party inthe Fourth Republicamidstcontroversialcircumstances.The partyhasa neo-liberal stance
inits economicpoliciesand maintainsacentre-rightconservative stance onmost social issues,such
as same sex relationsandreligiousbeliefs.
The People’sDemocraticpartyof Nigeriaare Consciousof the followingIdeological principles:
Our historicmissionistobuildamodern democraticstate foundedonJustice,EquityandFairplay.
Realizingthe needto;
i.Make fundamental breakwithpastmistakesinordertorealize the optimumpotentialsof the
Countriesfuture;
ii.Builda qualitativelybettersocietybasedonthe principlesof democracy,humanrightsandsocial
justice underthe rule of law;
Committedto;
i.RestructuringNigeriainthe spiritof true federalismandresponsible tiersof government,soasto
achieve ajustand equitable society;
ii.Resolvingsuchfundamentalissuesasproperdevolutionof powersbetweenthe three tiersof
government;
Covenantasfollows:
1. The Indivisibilityof the NigerianPolity

8. i.We affirmourbelief inthe unityof Nigeriaunderthe Federal Systemof Government.We shall,
therefore,continuouslypromotepolitical tolerance,accommodationandcompromise,religious
harmony,as well asinter-ethnicandintra-ethnicaccommodationandco-operation.
ii.The Party shall alsopromote geo-political balancingasa fundamental principle of powersharingin
the country,in line withthe principle of federal character.
iii.The Partyshall upholdthe principleof powerrotationinourpolityatall levels.
2. Supremacyof the Constitution
We affirmourbelief inthe supremacyof the Constitutionof the FederalRepublicof Nigeriaandthe
sovereigntyof the Nigeriannationanditspeople.We herebyaffirmourcommitmenttostrict
observance andenforcementof the provisions.Asapolitical party,we shall conformtothe spirit
and the letterof the provisionsof the constitutionof the Federal Republicof Nigeriaandthe
constitutionof the People’sDemocraticPartyasamended
3. Independence of the JudiciaryandOperationof the Rule of Law
We affirmourbelief inthe supremacyof the Constitutionof the FederalRepublicof Nigeriaandthe
sovereigntyof the Nigeriannationanditspeople.We herebyaffirmourcommitmenttostrict
observance andenforcementof the provisions.Asapolitical party,we shall conformtothe spirit
and the letterof the provisionsof the constitutionof the Federal Republicof Nigeriaandthe
constitutionof the People’sDemocraticParty.
4. Sanctityof HumanDignity
We affirmourbelief inrespectof fundamentalhumanrights,asenshrinedinthe Nigerian
ConstitutionandInternational ProtocolsandConventions.We are againstall formsof discrimination
on the basisof gender,religion,place of origin,orethnicity,race,beliefs,etc.The PDPwill strive to
protectthe rights of vulnerable groupsinsociety,includingwomen,children,seniorcitizens,
physicallychallengedandminorities.
DIRECTIVEPRINCIPLES
We shall remainstronglycommittedto:
i.Democracy andgood governance;
ii.Freedom, humanrightsandhumandignity;
iii.Justice,equity,popular participation,inclusivenessandthe rule of law;
iv.Integrity,transparencyandaccountabilityinthe conductof publicaffairs;
v. Sustainable developmentthroughthe creationof anenablingenvironmentforprivate sectorled
economicdevelopment.

9. DIRECTION OF POLICYAND MEASURES
1. Political Objective
The political objective of the People’sDemocraticPartyisto:
i.Seekpolitical powerforthe purpose of protectingthe territorial integrityof Nigeriaandpromoting
the security,safety,welfare,andwell-beingof all Nigerians.
ii.Promote andestablishpolitical stabilityinNigeriaandfosternational unityandintegrationwhile
safeguardingourculture andhistorical values;
iii.Provide goodgovernance thatensuresprobityandparticipatorydemocracy;
iv.Guarantee humanrightsand fundamental freedomsof all citizensandpersonsresidentinNigeria.
v. Promote andnurture democraticidealsandtraditionsonasustainable basis;
vi.Provide the political environmentthatisconducive toeconomic growthandnational
developmentthroughprivate initiative andfree enterprise;
vii.Offerequal opportunitiestoholdthe highestpolitical,military,bureaucraticandjudicial officesin
the country to all citizens,andprotect,defendandsafeguardthe interestsof all includingminorities.
2. Governance
The party shall be committedto:
i.The principle of participatorydemocracythatlaysemphasisonthe welfare of ourpeople:
ii.The principlesof social justice andthe equalityof opportunitiesforall Citizens;
iii.The promotionanddefence of the NigerianFederal Systemof government;
iv.The principlesof accountabilityandtransparencyinordertorestore confidence inthe institutions
of government,discipline andleadershipbyexample asbasis forpubliclife andpersonal integrityas
an importantmoral value inthe conductof publicaffairs;
v. Fosteringthe spiritof onenessamongourpeople bytreatingall Nigeriansfairlyandequitably,
regardlessof theirsocial,political oreconomicstatus;and
vi.The preservationof Nigeriaasamulti-religiousstate whilstguaranteeingfreedomof religionand
goodconscience.
3. Economy
At the root of Nigeria'spolitical andsocial problemsispovertyandlow accesstoeconomic
opportunities.The improvementinthe well-beingof Nigeriansisthe ultimateobjectiveof the PDP's
economicpolicy,andtomake accessible toeveryNigerianthe basicneedsof life.The focuswould

10. be to create a market-basedopen-economy,drivenbysmall andmediumscale businessesand
regulatedbya reformedprivate drivenpublicsector.
At the veryfoundationof the above objective of the partyisthe pursuitof a strong,virile and
diversifiedeconomybuilttostumprural/urbanmigrationthroughinvestmentinmodern
agricultural methods.PDP'seconomicpolicyiscentredonpeopleandseekstorealize the
MillenniumDevelopmentGoalswhile aimingto:
i.Developamiddle classdrivenbysmall businessowners,professional classwithaccesstocredit.
ii.Create easyaccessto transferable propertyrightsinurbanandrural areas.
iii.Protectthe weakandpoor throughinitiativesthatare designedtointegrate theminthe
economy.
iv.Improve private investmentinphysical andsocial infrastructure.
The PDP aims,altogether, atestablishingthe leadingeconomyinAfricaandone of the 20 leading
and largesteconomiesinthe Worldby2020; an economythat experiencesrapidandsustained
growthof notlessthan 10% per annum.
4. The Judiciaryandthe Administrationof Justice
The Party shall:
i.At all timesupholdanddefendthe Constitutionof the Federal Republicof Nigeria;
ii.Upholdthe principlesof separationof powersasenshrinedinthe Constitution;
iii.Upholdthe Independence of the Judiciary;
iv.Ensure the securityof livesandproperty