By Babafemi Ojudu, CON
In recent days, I have found myself reflecting deeply on the nature and evolution of political parties in Nigeria. It is that familiar season again—the time when political figures jump ship, abandoning long-standing affiliations and embracing new platforms, often alongside erstwhile rivals. Watching this churn, one cannot help but wonder: Do we have any memory of our history—recent or distant? Do we understand what a true political party should represent?
This crisis of purpose is not confined to Nigeria. Across the world, there appears to be a growing disconnection from the classical ideal of political parties as enduring institutions for service, vision, and governance.
In many countries, parties have degenerated into mere vehicles for winning elections, only coming to life during campaign seasons and fading into inertia after victory—or defeat. They operate without ideological depth, institutional memory, or a long-term plan for national transformation.
But what if we reimagined the political party—not as a temporary campaign machine, but as a permanent institution, larger than the government it births, deeper than the ambitions it channels, and more rooted in service than self-preservation?
That is the party I dream of. That is the kind of party we must build—and one we must bequeath to future generations.
A Party with Purpose Beyond Power
My dream party would be anchored in a clear, coherent agenda—not driven by populism or reactionary slogans, but by a deeply considered commitment to the public good. It would serve as a think tank, a policy incubator, and a school for civic values—developing thoughtful positions on everything from healthcare and housing to education, culture, climate, and digital innovation.
Years ago, I attended the annual convention of city managers in South Africa—equivalents of our local government chairpersons in Nigeria. I was struck by the richness of debate and the quality of their contributions. Many of these officials, members of the ANC, spoke with such clarity and competence that one could imagine them running a country successfully.
Globally, there are examples to draw inspiration from. The Swedish Social Democratic Party laid the foundation for the modern welfare state through decades of consistent policy innovation. In Germany, the Christian Democratic Union has long balanced market-driven growth with social equity. These are not just election-winning machines—they are nation-shaping institutions.
Governance Starts Before Elections
In my dream party, elections are a checkpoint—not the starting line.
A party that prepares for governance must work year-round. It must build shadow cabinets, develop data systems, conduct citizen consultations, and train its young members in policy, ethics, and leadership. In New Zealand, the Labour Party’s manifesto is a serious, binding document—subject to public scrutiny and performance audits after the election. That kind of discipline earns trust and creates political continuity.
In contrast, a party that announces impulsive, poorly thought-out policies damages not only its credibility but also the public’s faith in politics. A party must never improvise with people’s lives.
Institutional Strength over Individual Supremacy
In the party I envision, no individual is above the party—not the flagbearer, not the president, not the financier.
True power flows through well-defined organs, from grassroots units to the national executive. Internal democracy must not be a hollow aspiration—it must be the operating principle. The African National Congress (ANC), in its prime, once demonstrated this. When President Thabo Mbeki’s leadership veered from party values, the ANC recalled him. The institution stood above the officeholder.
The strength of a democracy is not in the power of a single leader, but in the resilience of its institutions—and that resilience must begin within the party.
Self-Interrogation as a Virtue, Not a Threat
A party that cannot question itself will eventually destroy itself.
My dream party must be self-reflective and open to debate. It must regularly interrogate its policies and performance, drawing from research, public feedback, and internal dissent. A party cannot be the product of one mind, one wallet, or one ideology. That path leads to dictatorship, stagnation, and sycophancy—where members become yes-men and genuflecting women.
The UK Labour Party, through its annual conferences and policy forums, institutionalizes this spirit of critical introspection. Even in opposition, it holds itself accountable.
Parties that fail to self-correct rot from within and become echo chambers of flattery instead of crucibles of reform.
A Comprehensive Agenda for Human Flourishing
The dream party must not only focus on “big ticket” issues like security, infrastructure, and the economy. It must also have credible, thoughtful policies on areas often overlooked—arts and culture, mental health, street vending, local sports, libraries, urban beautification, parks, gardens, and waste management.
True leadership lies in the details of daily life. Chief Obafemi Awolowo captured this when he championed “the greatest good for the greatest number—life in abundance.” This was not just rhetoric. It defined his governance model as Premier of the Western Region—grounded in free education, healthcare, and infrastructure that uplifted the majority.
Globally, there are examples of this kind of holistic thinking. In Japan, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party includes urban gardening and elderly care in its policy portfolio. In Rwanda, Umuganda—a monthly national community service day—has been embedded into public life, strengthening civic participation. Even in Singapore, the issue of chewing gum and waste disposal once sparked national policy conversations.
No issue is too small when the goal is human dignity.
The Party Must Serve the People—Not the Other Way Around
Ultimately, my dream party exists to serve, not to rule. Service is not a slogan—it is the entire purpose.
Such a party must listen frequently, learn continuously, and lead with humility. It must raise the standard of political discourse, not lower it. It must elevate the people’s aspirations into policies—not reduce politics to elitist abstractions or empty theatrics.
Its members must undergo constant orientation and reorientation. Party obligations should be clear—and so too should the party’s responsibilities to its members. It must be a two-way relationship built on trust, discipline, and shared values.
This dream is not naïve.
It is necessary.
Conclusion: From Dream to Blueprint
If we truly desire better governance, we must begin by building better political parties—not only ideologically, but structurally, ethically, and institutionally.
We must construct parties that outlive ambition, outlast election cycles, and outperform cynicism.
Let us build a party bigger than power, because it is wholly committed to purpose.
That is the party I dream of.
Let’s turn the dream into a blueprint.
What does your dream party look like?
• Babafemi Ojudu, CON, is a journalist, political scientist, former Senator, and former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters. He is currently in political hibernation.
