What Are the Types of Politics? And Why Nigerians Might Be Practicing the Wrong One (Politics Isn’t Just for Politicians)
What are the types of politics? Ask the average Nigerian what politics means, and the answer will likely involve corruption, “chopping money,” or election violence. But politics goes far beyond elections or political parties it shapes how decisions are made, who gets what, and whose voice gets heard.
Yet, despite living in one of Africa’s most politically charged environments, many Nigerians don’t fully understand the types of politics at play. Worse still, we often engage in the most damaging type: personality and tribal politics.
This article exposes the main types of politics traditional and modern and challenges you to rethink the game you’re really playing.
The Classic Types of Politics
Let’s break it down into the most recognized political structures and how they play out.
1. Partisan Politics
This is the politics of political parties PDP vs. APC in Nigeria, Democrats vs. Republicans in the U.S. It revolves around loyalty to party lines, ideologies, and power structures.
The problem? In Nigeria, partisan politics is rarely about ideology. It’s about access to wealth and contracts. Most parties switch candidates like jerseys no consistent values, just recycled faces.
2. Identity Politics
This is when politics is driven by religion, ethnicity, gender, or region. For example, “it’s our turn to rule” politics North vs. South, Christian vs. Muslim, Igbo vs. Hausa vs. Yoruba.
It’s powerful, emotional, and dangerous.
Instead of voting for competence, many vote for “our own.” It has kept Nigeria divided and development stagnant.
Controversial Take:
Identity politics is not inherently evil it can protect minority rights but in Nigeria, it’s often manipulated to distract from poor governance.
3. Issue-Based Politics
This is what modern democracies strive for: voting based on policies, manifestos, and vision. It’s about education reform, job creation, healthcare, infrastructure not tribe or religion.
Unfortunately, this is the least practiced form in Nigeria.
Ask 10 voters why they support a candidate. If only 2 mention policies, we have a problem.
4. Personality Politics
Here, politics revolves around charisma, popularity, and personal loyalty, not governance. You follow a leader blindly, even if they fail.
Nigerians are deeply loyal to political godfathers, celebrities-turned-politicians, or candidates with cult-like appeal.
It’s no longer about “what can you do?” but “who are you with?” or “how much did you share?”
This is why political accountability is dead loyalty trumps logic.
Emerging Political Types in the Digital Age
As Gen Z and millennials step in, new political movements are emerging—some promising, others questionable.
5. Pop Culture Politics
Social media has turned politics into entertainment. People align with movements because they’re trending #EndSARS, #Obidient, #Tinubu2023 not always because they understand the ideology.
Political engagement is becoming “performative” likes and retweets without real-world action.
Pop culture politics has potential but only if it’s backed by consistent civic education and follow-through.
SEO Keywords: youth in politics Nigeria, EndSARS movement, social media activism
6. Transactional Politics
This is the “stomach infrastructure” system vote buying, palliatives, rice and wrappers for votes. It’s deeply rooted in poverty and desperation.
When people are hungry, they sell their vote. When elites exploit that hunger, democracy dies.
Hard Truth: Until poverty is tackled, transactional politics will remain king in Nigeria.
So, Which Type of Politics Should Nigeria Embrace?
It’s time for Nigerians to shift toward issue-based and value-driven politics. If politics continues to be driven by identity, handouts, and godfatherism, we’ll keep recycling failed leaders.
We need to ask:
- What are their policies?
- What’s their track record?
- How will they create jobs, fix roads, or stop insecurity?
We must stop voting for vibes and start voting for vision.
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The Controversy: Democracy Doesn’t Work If We Don’t Understand It
Here’s the bold truth:
Nigerians complain about bad governance but reward the same behavior every four years.
- We ignore manifestos.
- We accept bribes.
- We vote based on region and religion.
Democracy isn’t magic it’s reflection. A government reflects the political maturity of its people. Until we understand the types of politics we practice and choose better ones, nothing will change.
whatsnextng Thoughts: The Politics You Play Shapes the Life You Live
Politics is not a distant game played in Aso Rock. It affects your NEPA bill, your rent, your job prospects, and your children’s education.
our todays article breaks down the different types of politics partisan, identity, issue-based, personality-driven, pop culture, and transactional and exposes how most Nigerians are engaging with politics the wrong way. It argues that instead of focusing on policies or leadership vision, many voters are influenced by tribal loyalty, social media trends, or bribes like rice and cash.
TheBlog challenges Nigerians to stop voting based on emotions, religion, or who “shares the most” and start supporting candidates with real plans for education, jobs, and national unity. It also warns that democracy won’t work unless citizens understand and demand the right kind of politics. Ultimately, it’s a call to action: if we want a better Nigeria, we must play smarter, issue-based politics—not just personality or poverty politics.
Understanding the types of politics is the first step toward demanding better leadership and making informed political decisions.
Don’t just ask who is running for office. Ask:
What kind of politics are they playing? And what kind are you playing too?
FAQ – What Are the Types of Politics?
Q: What is the most common type of politics in Nigeria?
A: Identity and transactional politics dominate voters often choose based on tribe or incentives, not policies.
Q: Is personality politics bad?
A: Not always, but when it replaces accountability or competence, it becomes dangerous.
Q: How can we encourage issue-based politics?
A: Through civic education, media responsibility, youth engagement, and political debates focused on real solutions.
Q: What role does poverty play in Nigerian politics?
A: A major one poverty fuels transactional politics and makes citizens easy targets for manipulation.
What’s Next, NG?
If we want better leaders, we need to play better politics. Let’s shift the conversation from emotion to issues, from tribe to truth.
#PoliticalAwakening #WhatsNextNG #PoliticsForChange
