For Nigeria’s Political Parties, Lessons from China’s CPC

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is not only the world’s largest political party but has chaperoned the development of China and made it what it is today. It is a party with strong principles and discipline and very popular with the Chinese people which made it a good rally point for any serious party to take a lesson from, Michael Olugbode in the report asked Nigerian to take lessons from China’s CPC

The Communist Party of China (CPC) was formed in 1921, driven by several key factors and influences which include the influence of the Russian October Revolution, which showed that Marxism-Leninism could be a powerful force for change. Its formation was also influenced by the desire for National Salvation as China was beleaguered and backward in the early 20th century, prompting intellectuals like Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao to seek solutions for national rejuvenation.
On formation, the CPC adopted Marxism as its guiding ideology, combining it with China’s realities to create Mao Zedong Thought. Initially, the CPC formed a United Front with the Guomindang (KMT) to fight against warlords and imperialism, encouraged by the Comintern. It mobilized workers, peasants, and soldiers, broadening its social base beyond urban intellectuals.
Its first congress took place in July 1921 in Shanghai, attended by representatives like Mao Zedong. Key figures like Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao, and Mao Zedong, played crucial roles in shaping the party, with the Communist International (Comintern) supporting the CPC’s formation and early strategies.
CPC’s defining moment was the 1919 movement which contributed to radicalization and interest in Marxism among Chinese intellectuals, and its path involved conflict with the KMT, leading to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 under Mao Zedong.
The CPC’s formation reflects China’s complex early 20th-century history and its quest for modernization and national strength
The Eight-point Decision on improving Party and government conduct, also known as the Eight Rules, was later instituted which holds significant global importance, particularly in understanding China’s governance model and the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) approach to leadership and anti-corruption.
Some of the key aspects of the Eight-point Decision include :
People-Centered Governance. The decision embodies a people-centered philosophy, focusing on improving the CPC’s relationship with the public.
Anti-Corruption and Discipline: It targets formalism, bureaucratism, hedonism, and extravagance, promoting stricter Party discipline, with rules covering research, meetings, documents, overseas visits, security, news reports, publication of writings, and frugality.
The Eight-point Decision offers insights into China’s governance approach, showcasing the CPC’s efforts in self-governance and reform. The Anti-Corruption Campaign drive, bolstered by the Eight Rules, has seen over 760,000 violations addressed and more than 200 senior officials punished since 2012.
It has also Improved Party conduct positively impacting social morality and individual virtues in China.
The way CPC conducts its affairs has led to significant improvements in Party conduct and stricter self-governance within the CPC,
tangible improvements in official conduct which have earned the CPC support from the Chinese people; with leaders leading by example, this President Xi Jinping has emphasized leading by example, starting with himself, in implementing the Eight Rules.
The Eight-point Decision as a crucial aspect of the CPC’s efforts to maintain its leadership core in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. It’s seen as a vital point of entry for understanding China’s governance model and the CPC’s self-revolution efforts
Overall, the Eight-point Decision reflects the CPC’s commitment to governance reform and anti-corruption, offering valuable insights into China’s political and social landscape.
The eight-point decision introduced by the central leadership of the Communist Party of China has enhanced the Party’s governance, won the people’s trust and support for the Party as well as provided reference for other countries, a Pakistani senator said.
“The hallmark of President Xi Jinping’s leadership has been decisive action of a doer who delivers,” said Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute.
Sayed, also co-chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, said that for President Xi, the Party’s good governance is inextricably intertwined with holding officials, high or low, accountable, combating corruption and providing people-centered development.
He noted that under President Xi’s leadership, China’s international image has been enhanced through improvements in the country’s governance system.
“The CPC and the people of China are now more closely united, with people having greater confidence in their leadership, which has succeeded in promoting substance over semantics, eliminating extravagance, promoting efficiency and slashing formalism and bureaucratic behavior of officials,” he said.
“Most important, the credibility of such governance has been enhanced when the world realizes that China means what it says, as decisions are implemented in a timely manner,” he added.
Sayed also pointed out that the code of conduct provides valuable lessons for other nations in combating corruption and regulating bureaucratic conduct.
“The key underlining principle is that nobody is above the law and violations of the law will not go unpunished, irrespective of the rank and status of officials,” he emphasized.
“Accountability, therefore, is the basis of good governance and efficient administration and President Xi has led by example in this regard.”
Sayed further noted the positive changes brought about by the code of conduct, particularly in curbing extravagance and ensuring that meetings are substantive and purposeful.
Coming to Nigeria, which parties seem to be more about association to wrestle power more than any other thing. We have Peoples Democratic Party as the numero uno party at the start of this present political journey in 1999, The PDP has had a fascinating journey in Nigerian politics, marked by significant highs and lows. Formed in 1998, the PDP dominated Nigerian politics for 16 years, holding power at the national level and in most states until 2015. The PDP emerged from the Abacha Constitutional Conference (1994-1996) and was instrumental in Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999.
Its strength lay in its ability to build a broad, multi-ethnic coalition, appealing to various regions and interests, and had prominent leaders like Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar, and Alex Ekwueme who all played crucial roles in shaping the party’s early success.
Now came another power (emperor) that sent the former emperor out of power and made it less powerful, the All Progressives Congress (APC formed in 2013 through a merger, is currently Nigeria’s ruling party, with Bola Tinubu as a prominent figure.
There are other parties but they seem not truly influential because of their little fortunes at the polls. Nigeria’s political party and politics seem not to be run on ideology and principle but based on patronages as politicians are often seen criss crossing parties more for opportunities.
The key differences between CPC and Nigerian parties could be seen in ideology; the CPC is rooted in Marxism-Leninism and focuses on socialist development with Chinese characteristics, whereas Nigerian parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have more diverse and often pragmatic ideologies. The structure of CPC is a centralized, disciplined party with over 95 million members, playing a dominant role in China’s governance. Nigerian parties are more fragmented, with multiple parties competing in a multiparty democracy. On the part of governance approach, the CPC emphasizes people-centered governance, anti-corruption, and long-term planning, contributing to China’s rapid economic growth. Nigerian parties face challenges like corruption and governance inefficiencies. Historical, the CPC was founded in 1921 and led China’s transformation, while Nigerian parties like PDP (1998) and APC (2013) emerged in the country’s post-independence political landscape, and have not be able to warm their ways into the hearts of Nigerians.
There is definitely a lot, parties in Nigeria have to learn from CPC, with one of the ambassadors to Nigeria in the past pinpointing the fact that Nigerian parties need to learn from the CPC’s people-centered approach and anti-corruption efforts.
Experts also suggest Nigeria could benefit from studying the CPC’s governance model, focusing on development-oriented politics and strict discipline ¹ ².
Overall, while there are lessons Nigerian political parties might draw from the CPC’s experiences, the contexts and systems differ significantly, reflecting each country’s unique path and priorities.