Political Parties in Nigeria
Class: Basic 5
Subject: Civic Education
Topic: Political Parties in Nigeria.
A political party is an organized group of people who have the same ideology, or who otherwise have the same political positions.
Political parties are groups of people who field candidates for elections, in an attempt to get them elected and thereby implement the party’s agenda. They are a defining element of representative democracy.
Political parties are organizations that are formed by groups of people with similar political beliefs, interests, and ideologies to contest and participate in the process of governing a country. They are an essential component of representative democracy and are responsible for putting forward candidates for public office, promoting their political programs and ideas, and advocating for policies and legislation that align with their party’s values and goals.
In many countries, political parties provide a means for citizens to express their political views and preferences, and they play a critical role in shaping public opinion and influencing political decision-making. Political parties may have varying degrees of influence and importance depending on the country’s political system, but they are generally considered a vital part of the democratic process.
The Role of Political Parties.
- Candidate recruitment: One of the primary functions of political parties in Nigeria is to recruit and nominate candidates for various elective offices. Political parties often conduct primary elections or other selection processes to choose their candidates for elections, providing a means for citizens to participate in the selection of their leaders.
- Advocacy and mobilization: Political parties in Nigeria serve as a platform for citizens to express their political beliefs and interests. They promote their policies and ideas, and advocate for the adoption of legislation and policies that align with their party’s goals. Political parties also mobilize voters during elections, urging them to come out and vote for their candidates.
- Forming and managing government: Political parties in Nigeria aim to win elections and form governments at various levels. Once in power, political parties have the responsibility of managing the affairs of government, implementing their policies, and providing governance to the people.
- Representing citizens: Political parties in Nigeria also represent the interests of citizens by providing a platform for them to express their opinions and concerns. Political parties are expected to act as a link between citizens and the government, ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
- Holding government accountable: Political parties in Nigeria also serve as a check on the government’s activities. They hold the government accountable for its actions and policies, ensuring that it fulfills its responsibilities and delivers on its promises to the people. Political parties often play a crucial role in ensuring that the government is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the citizens
As the electorate expanded, the political parties evolved to mobilize the growing mass of voters as the means of political control. Political parties became institutionalized to accomplish this essential task.
Major party: a political party having electoral strength sufficient to permit it to win control of a government usually with comparative regularity and when defeated to constitute the principal opposition to the party in power. For example in Nigeria, APC is the ruling parties with majority, while the major opposition party is PDP.
The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) was Nigeria’s first political party. Formed in 1923 by Herbert Macaulay to take advantage of the new Clifford Constitution, which succeeded the 1914 Nigerian Council.
List of political parties in Nigeria
This list comprises of some of the political parties in the government of Nigeria.
- All Progressives Congress (APC)
- People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
- Labour Party (LP)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- Young Progressive Party (YPP)
- Action Democratic Party (ADP)
- Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
- African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
African Action Congress (AAC)
Alliance for Democracy (AD)
Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN)
Action Democratic Party (Nigeria) (ADP)
Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA)
All Progressives Congress (APC)
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Because Of Our Tomorrow [BOOT Party]
Conscience People’s Congress [CPC]
Citizens Popular Party (CPP)
Democratic Alternative (DA)
Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM)
Grassroot Patriotic Party (GPP)
Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP)
KOWA Party (KP)
Labour Party (LP)
National Conscience Party (NCP)
National Interest Party (NIP)
New Democrats (ND)
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA)
People Progressive Party (PPP)
People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
People’s Salvation Party (PSP)
Restoration Party of Nigeria (RP)
Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP)
Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN)
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Exercise:
1. What is political party?
A political party is an organized group of people with similar political beliefs, ideologies, and interests who seek to participate in the process of governing a country or region. Political parties are established to contest elections, win seats in the legislature, and form governments to implement their policies and programs. They are an essential component of representative democracy, providing a means for citizens to express their political views and preferences, and for political leaders to mobilize and organize support for their programs and ideas.
Political parties typically have a platform or manifesto that outlines their policies and programs on various issues, such as the economy, healthcare, education, foreign policy, and others. They often hold conventions, meetings, and other events to discuss and debate their positions and strategies, and to choose their candidates for public office.
In many countries, political parties are also responsible for providing political education and promoting civic engagement among citizens. They may organize rallies, protests, and other events to express their views and advocate for their interests. Ultimately, political parties serve as a means for citizens to participate in the democratic process, influence public policy, and hold their leaders accountable
2. Mention five political parties in Nigeria
Here are five political parties in Nigeria:
- All Progressives Congress (APC)
- People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
- Labour Party (LP)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
3. Who formed the first political party in Nigeria?
The first political party in Nigeria was the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), formed in 1923 by Herbert Macaulay, a prominent Nigerian nationalist and politician. The NNDP was formed to advocate for Nigerian self-governance and represented the interests of the educated elites in the Lagos area. The party was predominantly composed of Yoruba people from southwestern Nigeria and dominated politics in the Lagos area in the 1920s and 1930s. The NNDP eventually merged with other regional parties to form the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944, which became one of the major political parties in Nigeria at the time
4. In what year was the first political party formed?
The first political party in Nigeria was formed in 1923. It was called the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) and was established by Herbert Macaulay, a prominent Nigerian nationalist and politician, to advocate for Nigerian self-governance and represent the interests of educated elites in the Lagos area. The NNDP was mainly composed of Yoruba people from southwestern Nigeria and dominated politics in the Lagos area in the 1920s and 1930s. The party eventually merged with other regional parties to form the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944, which became one of the major political parties in Nigeria at the time.
Homework
- When was the first political party formed in Nigeria? A) 1900 B) 1923 C) 1944 D) 1960
- What is a political party? A) A group of people with diverse political beliefs B) An organization that contests elections C) A religious organization D) A social club
- What is the primary function of political parties in Nigeria? A) Providing social services to citizens B) Providing education to citizens C) Representing citizens in court D) Recruiting and nominating candidates for elections
- Who formed the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP)? A) Herbert Macaulay B) Nnamdi Azikiwe C) Obafemi Awolowo D) Ahmadu Bello
- Which political party was the ruling party in Nigeria from 1999 to 2015? A) All Progressives Congress (APC) B) People’s Democratic Party (PDP) C) All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) D) Labour Party (LP)
- Which political party is currently the ruling party in Nigeria? A) All Progressives Congress (APC) B) People’s Democratic Party (PDP) C) All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) D) Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- Which of the following is NOT a function of political parties in Nigeria? A) Representing citizens B) Providing education to citizens C) Advocacy and mobilization D) Holding government accountable
- What is a manifesto in the context of political parties? A) A list of candidates for public office B) A political party’s position on various issues C) A plan for organizing political rallies D) A religious document
- Which political party was the first ruling party in Nigeria after independence in 1960? A) All Progressives Congress (APC) B) People’s Democratic Party (PDP) C) All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) D) National Party of Nigeria (NPN)
- What is the main reason for the establishment of political parties in Nigeria? A) To provide social services to citizens B) To promote religious beliefs C) To contest elections and form governments D) To provide healthcare to citizens