The history of the formation of political party in nigeria dates back to the colonial era, before the advent of colonialism, the whole idea of political. Other political parties that were active in nigeria at that time were the action group with its dominance in the south western part of nigeria, the borno youth movement with its headquarters in borno state, democratic party of nigeria and cameroun, the dynamic party, igala. On 1, october 1960, nigeria, after several years of british colonial rule, became an independent nation. The political and governmental history of nigeria nigerian. Nov 16, 20 because of these weaknesses, their possible contribution to democratic development is often questioned. The development of political parties in nigeria dates back to the days of the struggle for political independent in the late 1940s, when the nationalists were at the preindependence and postindependence periods.
Aside discussing the political parties in nigeria, this write up will equally discuss about the political history of nigeria. The nigerian electoral process in perspective elections under colonial rule before independence in 1960, nigeria, which existed as an amalgamation of the. Modern representative democracy cannot operate without political parties. The history of political parties boundless political science. In crippled giant, osaghe questions the validity of nigeria s title as the giant of africa by analysing nigeria s political development from 1960 to 1996. Full list of political parties in nigeria nigerian finder. Department of political science, federal university, dutsinma, katsina state. Historical background to political party development in nigeria. Available records on the history of the political development of nigeria since independence have shown that the reins of government has always fallen into the hands of a political leadership class that showed more interest in private, group or ethnic gains than in the general wellbeing of the nigerian state. The growth and development of nigerian political parties. Islam reached nigeria through the borno empire between 1068 ad and hausa states. Introduction nigeria and nigerians have been caught in the frenzy of centenary celebration.
Since the division of the republican party in the election of 1912, it has positioned itself as progressive and supporting labor in economic as well as social matters. The history of political party in nigeria can be situated within the context of the twoparty and multiparty political system adejumobi, 2007, which can be traced to the development of nationalist consciousness, awareness and political movements agarah, 2004, that began in nigeria in the 1930s. In preindependence era, party politics in nigeria was based on ethnic factor. An analysis grace malachi brown, phd department of history and diplomatic studies faculty of humanities rivers state university of education pmb 5047, rumuolumeni port harcourt, rivers state nigeria. History of political parties in nigeria information. The development of political parties the existence of only two dominant parties stems largely from election rules that provide for singlemember districts and winnertakeall elections.
Political parties and democratic consolidation in nigerias fourth republic akubo, a. We have so many political parties in nigeria and below are the parties and the information about them. Nigeria s parties have a history of formation, dissolution and reformation due to the many transitions in nigeria s postindependence political history. Nigerias present democratization, which culminated in the countrys fourth republic on may 29, 1999, started amidst great hope and expectations.
The paper concludes that for nigeria to experience sustainable socioeconomic. Jan 10, 2016 political history of nigeria since independence 1960 till date introduction by the time nigeria gained its independence, it was entering a period of rapid social and economic change, and many people were quite optimistic about its future. There will also betheneed to look critically at the origin, nature, dynamics and trends of political parties and their development in the countries in question as this shall largely offer a. Political parties and democracy in theoretical and practical perspectives ix preface increasingly, governments and the parties that seek to control and influence them face complex public policy issues. Pages in category political parties in nigeria the following 26 pages are in this category, out of 26 total. In 1959, there were three political parties in the country and they include the following. They are regulated under the political parties act 574 which was passed in the year 2000. Democracy, political parties, political behaviour,party politics, among other relevant concepts that we shall encounter in thecauseof the study. The democratic party is one of two major political parties in the united states, and is the oldest political party in the world. Political parties and democratic consolidation in nigeria s fourth republic akubo, a. The act clearly stipulated how politicians who wish to establish a political party can go about it, including information on how a party is registered, operated and funded.
The chapter serves as a useful background for easy understanding of the character of political parties and party politics in contemporary nigeria. The emergence of political parties and multiparty system are positive indicators of sturdy process of democratic transition. Government aims and objectives this syllabus aims at assessing the candidates ability to a define the concepts of government and show their understanding of its principles, institutions and processes. Political parties and democracy in theoretical and practical. This list comprises all of the political parties in the government of nigeria fourth republic 1999present aboki wawa arewa movement awam african action congress aac abundant nigeria. According to the body in charge of conducting election and registering political parties, independent national electoral commission, inec, nigeria has 18 dully registered political parties and operate a multiparty system. Oct 23, 2014 i believe that by concentrating on the undoubted absence of narrow leftright ideology, we overlook the ideologies that do exist and which guide nigerian political parties. An appraisal of precipitating factors in nigeria olayiwola victor ojo m sc political science, university of ilorin, ilorin, nigeria abstract nigerias electoral politics from independence has been tumultuous. Democracy and electoral process in nigeria politics essay. An assessment of political parties and democratic consolidation in nigeria s fourth republic mike omilusi, phd department of political science ekiti state university, nigeria abstract democratic values and practices are crucial for democratic institutionalization and the development. Thus providing nigeria with a cheqeured history with political transitions from civilian to military. This party was a pannigerian political party led by the last governorgeneral and first president of independent nigeria, dr. History and development of political parties in nigeria.
Abstractafter 55 years of political independence, nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of democratic transformation and good governance. Antifederalist debates, it featured two national parties competing for control of the presidency, congress, and. Apr 20, 2018 download complete project materials on historical development of political parties in nigeria from chapter one to five with references introduction. Ayatse akuva 0 isaac iorhen 0 0 department of political science, federal university, dutsinma, katsina state nigeria party politic has been polluted by ethnic chauvinism. Political leadership and corruption in nigeria since 1960. In nigeria, the history of political parties is as old as the history of the british imposition and colonization of the largest nation of the black people. Most people do not know but there are presently 68 inec recognized political parties in nigeria updated for 2018. Although more than two political parties exist, many american voters tend to side with one of the big two. Shola omotola, redeemers university, redemption city, mowe, ogun state, nigeria. National council of nigeria and the cameroons ncnc. But when we come to consider the analysis of the nature of the party, we find that the field has hardly. The first party system is a model of american politics used by political scientists and historians to periodize the political party system existing in the united states between roughly 1792 and 1824.
Aduku and yakubu, adejo umoru centre for inter african and human development studies cides, jos, nigeria school of general studies, federal polytechnic, kaura namoda, zamfara state, nigeria. The origin and development of political parties request pdf. In democratic societies, people who share similar views and goals often join together to form political parties. Political instability in africa where the problem lies and. Political parties mcmaster faculty of social sciences. Because of these weaknesses, their possible contribution to democratic development is often questioned. Historical and political evolution of nigeria from 1900present daythat nigeria is beneath siege from all sides, not by a international power but by theirpersonal residence grown terrorists is no lengthier a make a difference nigeria news fordebate, but a deadly and sober truth, that even the most ardent patriots have occur.
Numerous ancient african civilizations settled in the region that is today nigeria, such as the kingdom of nri, the benin empire, and the oyo empire. One particular event worthy of note in the history of colonial nigeria era was the. An overview of party formation in nigeria, 19601999 codesria. Political parties and democracy in theoretical and. Are these heady days for nigerian political parties. Problems and prospects of community development in nigeria. Nigeria has the appropriate credentials for greatness. Pdf ethnicity and development of political parties in. For a treatment of earlier periods and of the country in its regional context, see western africa, history of. History of political parties in nigeria in nigeria, the history of political parties is as old as the history of the british imposition and colonization of the largest nation of the black people. Full list of registered political parties in nigeria 2020. They help in the formation of government with definite political agenda for the people. Download complete project materials on historical development of political parties in nigeria from chapter one to five with references introduction.
This paper is a contribution to the debate on democratization and development in nigeria. That is why the democratic governance for development dgd. The three political parties were the national council of nigeria and the cameroons ncnc. Nigeria became a federal republic, modelling its federal. In fact, many political parties in africa do not conform to the ideal of effective mass parties which perform democracypromoting functions such as candidate nomination, electoral mobilisation, societal representation, or interest aggregation. Ethnic politics and democratic consolidation in nigeria. An assessment of political parties and democratic consolidation in nigerias fourth republic mike omilusi, phd department of political science ekiti state university, nigeria abstract democratic values and practices are crucial for democratic institutionalization and the development of party strength.
Political parties in ghana take a look at the comprehensive. The first set of political parties to be formed in nigeria was formed. Nigeria was scheduled for independence from britain in 1960, and three main political parties ran in the preparatory elections in 1959. Implication for sustainable national development ntamu, g. But in 2003, 25 new political parties were registered by the national electoral body, bringing to 28 the number of political parties that contested the 2003 elections. Since then, the nature of the democratic project has been the subject of debate in various circles.
Given the general optimism that nigeria was going to be the bastion of democracy in africa following her independence from britain in 1960. Case study of the all progressives congress olakunle olowojolu lecturer department of political science and international relations, landmark university, omuaran, nigeria abstract right from the 1960s, both the ruling parties and the opposition parties are always at. Pdf ethnicity and development of political parties in nigeria. Its history is closely tied to that of neighbouring senegal, since it was only in. It is a phenomenon that had existed even during the british rule and dominance of the political reign of the niger area people. This is the main question, which this paper addresses with emphasis on political. Lapalombara and others published the origin and development of. This report on political parties in africa is part of the programme of research and dialogue on political parties undertaken by the international institute for democracy and electoral assistance idea during the years 20042006. Nigeria politicaly came into being after the amalgamation in 1914. Nigerias political independence was ushered in by the 12 december 1959 general elections into local councils, regional and federal legislatures. These include an increased emphasis on tailoring assistance to the individual needs of political parties operating within the same political context as well as greater use of guided practice to achieve more sustainable results and impact. Historical development of political parties in nigeria. The research was made possible owing to the participation of the following individuals and regional.
Briefly examine the origin and growth of political parties from the exclusion. Political parties originated in their modern form in europe and the united states in the 19th century, along with the electoral and parliamentary systems, whose development reflects the evolution of parties. The history of nigeria can be traced to prehistoric settlers nigerians living in the area as early as 1100 bc. Gambian history before the arrival of europeans has been preserved to some degree in oral traditions. Political party development in nigeria political science. In 1999 only 3 political parties contested elections in nigeria. This list comprises all of the political parties in the government of nigeria fourth republic 1999present aboki wawa.
Herskovits 1979, nigeria rejected britains parliamentary form of democracy which they had continued after independence in 1960 and chose the first wholly nigerianmade constitution, to follow the american model instead. Parties have frequently mobilized supporters based on ethnoregional, religious, and personality politics, while. This post is about the governmental and political history of nigeria. Political party, a group of persons organized to acquire and exercise political power.
This paper briefly examines the origin, growth and development of nigeria political parties. Historical and political evolution of nigeria from 1900present day 1. This discussion focuses on the gambia since the late 15th century. Works have been written upon the history of almost every political party in the western world. Other important factors contributing to the risks of electoral violence have evolved since 2015, including changing forms of insecurity and the prominence of disputes within, rather than between, the political parties. History of political parties in nigeria will never be complete if mention is not made of the various political bigwigs in the history of this country. The top three political parties at the moment still remains all progressive congress apc, peoples democratic party pdp, and all progressives grand alliance apga. Historical and political evolution of nigeria from 1900.
Political parties in nigeria are institutions set up for healthy competition among those vying for particular government offices in the land and there is a need to know and understand how nigerian politics and political parties have evolved by looking into the history of political parties in nigeria. One particular event worthy of note in the history of colonial nigeria era was the forceful amalgamation of over three hundred and fifty different. The key test to the political future of nigeria still lies in an enduring civilian governance. Political instability in africa may owe much of its cause to internal factors, however the interpenetration of internal and external factors especially geo political and economic interests of the international community constantly play a significant role in undermining the very processes. In the preindependence and the early post independence periods, political parties in nigeria were not ideologically based. The fourth republic 1992 to present has recorded about 24 registered political parties in ghana, despite the fact that the country has only two dominant parties the national democratic congress and the new patriotic party since the introduction of constitutional democracy as changes within the government has continued to rotate between these two dominant political parties. In the nigerian case study, the reconfiguration, formation of political parties, distribution of human and material resources and even crises coups, civil war, and religious impasse are hinged on ethnoreligious politics. The book analyses major political events that have shaped nigerian history such as the 1960 tiv riots, the 1962 census disturbances, and the 1964 western region crisis, all of which. Nigeria party politic has been polluted by ethnic chauvinism. The hisrory and development of political parties in nigeria. Pdf ethnicity and development of political parties in nigeria samuel uwaifo academia. Political parties and democracy in ghana democracy in africa. History of political parties in nigeria nigerian finder. A political history of the gambia, 18161994 on jstor.
They serve as source of unity, by uniting people of. The united states in the twentyfirst century is predominately a twoparty system. It makes use of much hitherto unconsulted or unavailable british and gambian official and private documentary sources, as well as interviews with many gambian politicians and former. Political party development in nigeria project topics. Ethnicity and development of political parties in nigeria. The first set of political parties to be formed in nigeria was formed in 1959, shortly before nigeria gained her independence from britain. The first political party in nigeria is the nigeria national democratic party nndp. Before the elections, and based on the federal department of statistics projection of nigerias population to be 31,559,026, the political parties all agreed that there. Hence, eliminating trust, confidence and full political integration as a nation among the different ethnic nationalities. By examining speeches, manifestos, and legislation, i found that the major parties do in fact have ideologies, within a broader understanding of what an ideology is. This newly formed country would go on to become a republic three years down the line on 1, october, 1963.