To further strengthen our polity, I believe there could be a merger of parties after the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

A merger of parties, like the merger of the defunct ANPP, ACN and CPC to form the All Progressives Congress, would be needed to effectively challenge the new ruling party and keep it on its toes. Mergers would ensure that the former existing parties could pool their financial resources together to adequately fund political campaigns for their candidate; instead of a situation whereby only the APC and PDP presidential candidates had the financial muscle to stump in all states, and run television ads.

The existing parties after such a merger could be APC, PDP, APGA, LP, SDP, Accord, and one mega party of the other "minor" parties.

APGA and LP would most likely note the because those parties are useful platforms for South-easterners to run for elective offices. The more options (3 + APC), the better for politicians from the zone. Ditto for the SW, with the LP, Accord party, APC, SDP and PDP.

7 political parties (possibly 4 or 5 contesting the presidency) would be ideal for the polity.

Cc: Laslasticlala, IGBOSON2, Katsumoto

What I think is more imperative is entrenching internal democracy within the political parties, be they, 2 or 20. This includes party supremacy, ideological differentiation of the parties, among others.

Eggcelent:
What I think is more imperative is entrenching internal democracy within the political parties, be they, 2 or 20. This includes party supremacy, ideological differentiation of the parties, among others.

The Electoral Act already states that parties should choose their candidates for political office only through primaries. So it's up to the parties to enforce the rule amongst themselves.

CFCfan:
7 political parties (possibly 4 or 5 contesting the presidency) would be ideal for the polity.

Cc: Laslasticlala, IGBOSON2, Katsumoto

Too many parties (anything more than 3) would create situations where it is difficult for one party to achieve a majority the first time. Requiring at least 2 rounds before a winner is declared. That leads to problems.

Katsumoto:


Too many parties (anything more than 3) would create situations where it is difficult for one party to achieve a majority the first time. Requiring at least 2 rounds before a winner is declared. That leads to problems.

The 7/8 party system is tailored to the present proclivities of the politicians (especially at the state level) that are too desperate for elective office.