Political Parties – JSS3 Social & Citizenship Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

A political party is a group of people who share the same ideas on how a country should be governed and who contest elections to win power.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define a political party and a manifesto.
2. State the features of a political party.
3. List and explain the functions of political parties.
4. Distinguish between one-party, two-party and multi-party systems.
5. Explain how political parties are registered in Nigeria.

What is a political party?

A political party is an organised group of people with common political ideas who seek to win elections and run the government.

• Identity in elections: members wear caps and shirts of one colour and carry posters with symbols such as an umbrella or a broom.
• Aim: to win power and put the party’s ideas into action.
• Members: citizens who agree with the party’s plans and join it.

Why do we have political parties?

Political parties organise citizens into groups with clear plans, so that voters have an orderly choice.

• Order: without parties, millions of Nigerians could each run for President with a different plan.
• Clear choice: each party presents its plans in a document called a manifesto.
• Easy voting: voters compare the manifestos and choose the party they prefer.

What are the features of a political party?

A political party has an identity, a manifesto and a constitution.

• Identity: a name, a logo (symbol) and a flag.
• Manifesto: a written document that states what the party will do if it wins, for example “We will provide free books for all JSS3 students”.
• Constitution: the party’s own rulebook for its members.
• Members: people who join and support the party.
• Aim: to win elections and form the government.

What are the functions of a political party?

The main functions of a political party are recruiting leaders, educating the public, contesting elections, providing opposition and uniting the people.

Parties work all year round, not only during elections.

1. Recruiting leaders

• Parties look for people who can make good leaders, such as Governors and Senators.
• They help these people run for office.

2. Educating the public

• Parties use rallies, television adverts and posters to teach citizens about national problems.
• They suggest ways to solve the problems.
• This is called political education.

3. Contesting elections

• This is the biggest job of a party.
• Parties sponsor candidates and organise campaigns to win votes.

4. Providing opposition

• Parties that lose an election form the opposition.
• They watch the winning party closely, like a watchdog.
• They speak up when the government makes a mistake.
• This keeps the government careful and accountable.

5. Uniting the people

• A good party brings people of different tribes and religions together.
• Members work for one goal, which is the growth of the country.

What are the types of party systems?

There are three types of party system: the one-party system, the two-party system and the multi-party system.

• One-party system: only one party is allowed to exist, so voters have no real choice.
• Two-party system: many parties may exist, but only two are strong enough to win elections, as in the USA.
• Multi-party system: three or more parties have a real chance of winning power, and they may need to work together to form a government.

Which system does Nigeria use?

Nigeria uses the multi-party system.

• Many parties are registered, such as the APC, PDP and LP.
• Nigerians have many choices at election time.
• No single party can stop others from existing.

How has the party system in Nigeria changed?

Nigeria’s party system has moved from parties based on regions to parties that must be open to all Nigerians.

The First Republic

• Parties were often based on the region of their members: North, West or East.
• Examples: NPC (North), Action Group (West) and NCNC (East).
• This caused a lot of division among the people.

The Fourth Republic (1999 to present)

• Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.
• The law says a party must have members from all over the country, not one tribe or region.
• This helps to keep the country united.

How is a political party registered in Nigeria?

A party is registered by INEC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, after it meets the conditions set by law.

INEC checks that:

1. The party headquarters is in Abuja.
2. The name and symbol have no ethnic or religious meaning.
3. Membership is open to every Nigerian citizen, whatever the person’s tribe or religion.
4. The party has a written constitution.

• Why symbols are simple: they must be easy to recognise, so that people who cannot read can find their party on the ballot paper.

What are the key terms?

• Political party: a group that seeks power to run the country.
• Manifesto: the written list of promises of a party.
• Opposition: the parties that lose an election and watch the government.
• Multi-party system: the system used in Nigeria, where many parties compete.
• INEC: the body that registers parties and conducts elections.

Evaluation

1. Define a manifesto in your own words.
2. List three functions of a political party.
3. Why does Nigeria use a multi-party system instead of a one-party system?
4. What is the role of an opposition party in a democracy?

Assignment

Design a new political party. Write its name, symbol and three promises for its manifesto, and say why the symbol is easy to recognise.