International Journal of Political Science and Development
 

International Journal of Political Science and Development

Vol. 6(2), pp. 60–67, March, 2018. 

DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2018.015

ISSN: 2360-784X

Research Paper

Rise of Opposition Political Parties and Democratization Process in West-Africa

¹Nnorom Kingsley (PhD), ²Nebeife Chigozie Joseph and ³Odigbo Jude

¹Department of Sociology, Benue State University Makurdi-Nigeria

²Department of Political Science, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

³Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Accepted 28 March 2018

Since the end of the cold war in the late 1980s, democracy has continued to spread as a “universal necessity” and prerequisite condition for prosperity, freedom and development; in which popular participation, rights and interests of the majority of people seemed to be secured. The recent events in West-Africa, especially in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia have shown a revolutionary challenge of ruling political parties in these states. This study argued that the resurgence of opposition parties in West Africa has not translated into a better life, development and prosperity in the region. This is borne out of the knowledge of the enormity of problems challenging Africa’s socio-economic and political development in the face of grueling democratic deficit in the continent. The study adopted documentary method of data gathering while relying on elite theory and descriptive qualitative analysis. It concluded that in spite of the rise and electoral successes of opposition political parties in Africa, it has remained doubtful that such change will be able to reverse the stunting impact of democracy in Africa. It recommended more functional structural arrangement to improve the profile of good governance in the States of Africa.

Keywords: Rise, Opposition Parties, Democratization, Process

 

Cite This Article As: Nnorom, K., Nebeife, C. and Odigbo, J. (2018). Rise of Opposition Political Parties and Democratization Process in West-Africa. Int. J. Polit. Sci. Develop. 6(2) 60-67
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