The Role of Non-State Actors in Shaping Democratic Development A Case Study of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and Political Parties

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Non-state actors such as influential civil society groups (transport unions and trade associations) are equally important as political party members in the mobilization towards achievement of the latter’s objectives, which include contesting and winning elections, and controlling government. The centrality of political parties to democratic development in transition states like Nigeria remains the grundnorm; what is however unclear is the extent to which political parties shape the organisational culture of non-state actors. Relying on data from primarily qualitative and primary data involving key informants interview and focus group discussion, this study interrogates the processes of mobilisation and deployment of organisational political cultures of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oyo State, in the service of political parties in the state. While susceptible to the influence of political parties, evidence suggests that civil society groups significantly shape party politics and democratic culture as well. Based on findings, the study argues that groups such as road transport unions often play important role in the democratisation project in Nigeria because their actions and inactions overtime have contributed to defining the character and direction of the democratic project. Hence, their success or otherwise in their internal democratic trajectory portends serious implications for Nigeria’s democratic space and project.