DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA

SS 2 GOVERNMENT

3rd Term

1st Week

DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA

First republic: NNDP, NYM, NCNC, NPC and AG, were the available parties during the first republic. This period was characterized by coalitions because due to the regional inclination of each of these parties none of them could secure an absolute majority in the parliament.

Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP): it was formed in 1923 under the leadership of sir Herbert Macaulay. This party won all the three seats in Lagos into the legislative council in the elections of 1923, 1928 and 1933. It also won the election into the Lagos town council. The party formed a newspaper called Lagos daily news. It helped them propagate their political activities especially in Lagos. The party was mainly based in Lagos and does not have a national outlook

The Nigerian youth movement (NYM): it was formed in 1935 and featured characters like Ernest Ikoli, Samuel Akinsanya, and Dr. C. Vaughan. It competed with NNDP for the control of political activities in Lagos. Nnamdi Azikiwe, H.O. Davies, Awolowo, and Samuel Akintola later joined the movement. The party had a national outlook based on the composition of the members. Their aims includes the unity of Nigeria, and attainment of self-rule

The national council of Nigeria and Cameroun citizens (NCNC): it was formed in 1944, the first president was Herbert Macaulay, and the first General Secretary was Nnamdi Azikiwe. When Macaulay died, Zik became the president of the party. In 1944 when Cameroon left Nigeria, the party changed its name to National council of Nigerian citizens. The party developed as a result of the split in NYM over representation of the party in the vacant legislative council seat in 1941. This caused a tribal sentiment of which the Ibos urged Zik to form a new party (NCNC). NCNC’s membership spread over the country irrespective of tribe or religion. The party had a truly national outlook. The party contributed in the struggle for self-governance in Nigeria. It educated Nigerians on their political rights it introduced newspapers like West African pilot which served as a powerful tool in opposing colonial rule. The party sent delegates to London to protest the 1946 constitution. The party also controlled the government of eastern Nigeria in the first republic (1963-66). NCNC formed a coalition government with NPC 1960-66.

Northern people’s congress: this party was formed in 1951. It is dominated by the Hausa/Fulani. It ruled northern Nigeria from 1951 to 65. The leader of the party was Ahmadu Bello, the deputy was Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The party produced the first Prime Minister.

Action Group: it was formed in 1951 by Awolowo as the political organization for the Yoruba. It controlled the government of the western region for 11 years. Other key members of the party include S.L. Akintola, Bode Thomas, and Chief Shonibare. The aims of the party include organizing nationalists of the western region under one political umbrella, to bring economic development to the region and to awaken the political consciousness of the people. 

Second Republic: it is presidential system of Government that was practiced during this period. The parties were NPN, UPN, NPP, GNPP, PRP and NAP.

National Party of Nigeria: NPN could be seen partly as an off shoot of NPC because the majority of the leaders were from there. The chairman of the party was Adisa Akinloye and the presidential candidate was Shehu Shagari.

Unity Party of Nigeria: UPN was founded by Awolowo who was also the presidential candidate. Their aim include free education, free medical services, and employment creation.

Nigerian People’s Party: the leader of NPP was Alh. Ibrahim Waziri, the chairman of the party was Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya. The presidential candidate was Azikiwe. The aim of the party was to protect the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria. Waziri later left because of the disagreement over the choice of presidential candidate and chairman. He went to form another party.

Great Nigeria People’s Party: GNPP was formed by Waziri who assumed the position of both chairman and presidential candidate of the party.

People’s Redemption Party: PRP was formed by Mallam Aminu Kano who was both the party’s chairman and presidential candidate.

Nigeria Advanced Party: NAP was formed by Mr. Tunji Braithwaite, a Lagos based lawyer. The party was registered after the 1979 elections and only contested in the 1983 elections and lost at all levels.

Third Republic: Gen. Babangida conducted the elections between two parties namely Social Democratic Party (SDP) chaired by Chief Tony Anenih, and National Republican Convention (NRC) chaired by Chief Tom Ikimi. The election was annulled while the military gave way to the interim government of Ernest Shonekan.

Fourth Republic: this period runs from 1999 till date. In 1999 INEC registered 3 political parties, namely: people’s Democratic Party (PDP) chaired by Chief Solomon Lar, All Peoples Party (APP) chaired by Alh. Yusuf Ali, and Alliance for Democracy (AD) chaired by Mamman Yusuf. After the 1999 election, other parties sprang up: APGA, NCP, NDP, PAC, MDJ, PSP, etc.