Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Magaji Mato, has warned that Nigeria’s political system will remain unstable if politicians continue to place personal interests above the collective will, stressing that such actions are responsible for recurring crises within political parties.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Mato reacted to the ongoing tensions within the ADC, saying the situation reflects a broader pattern in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to him, conflicts within parties are often driven by individuals who resist decisions that do not favor their personal ambitions.
“Where personal interest will always take priority over the general interest of Nigerians, we’ll continue to have this clash.”
Mato explained that this mindset has made it difficult for political parties to maintain internal cohesion and resolve disputes organically.
“It appears to me that politicians will always want to destroy a system if their personal interest is not carried along.”
He stressed that democracy cannot function effectively under such conditions, as it is built on the principle of majority rule rather than individual dominance.
“I advise that politicians should learn to respect the general order the general view of the majority… it is not about an individual.”
Mato further noted that in a country as large and politically diverse as Nigeria, it is unrealistic to expect that every individual interest will be satisfied.
“There is no way you have a system… that every single personal interest of the member must be taken into cognizance… it is not possible.”
He warned that unless political actors begin to accept collective decisions, crises within parties will continue to persist.
“I cannot guarantee you that crisis will stop… because it is not possible for every single personal interest… to be respected.”
Mato also emphasized that decisions taken at large gatherings such as party conventions should reflect the will of the majority and not be undermined by a few dissenting voices.
“The two individuals cannot… override the interest of these people… that they’re in number.”
He concluded that respect for majority decisions remains the foundation of democracy, urging politicians to prioritise unity and collective responsibility in order to strengthen Nigeria’s political system.
By Ojo Triumph
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