How Popular Organisations Are Formed – SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

Popular organizations are those organized groups whose membership cuts across different areas of society with clearly defined objectives. An example is a political party. As an organized group, a political party is an association of people with similar political ideologies whose major objective is to contest elections and gain political power to obtain control of government.

The formation of a political party can take the following forms:

1. Socio-Cultural Organization: Many political parties started as cultural organizations. The Action Group (AG) started as a cultural association known as EgbeOmonOduduwa while the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) sprang up from a popular Northern cultural association calledJamiyyaMutanemArewa.

2. Religious Organizations: Political parties can be formed based on religious beliefs and doctrines. This is common in countries where a particular religion is predominant. Examples of such associations are the Christian Democratic Union in Germany and the Muslim League in Pakistan. Countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Israel are nations where political parties are formed based on religious beliefs.

3. Government in Power: The government in power may decide to form or create political parties for the country. Former president, General Ibrahim Babangida formed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) that contested the 1993 elections.

4. Labour Organizations: Political parties can transform into a political party that seeks to promote the interest of the organization. Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria and the Workers’ Solidarity Party in Indonesia are examples.

5. Constitution: The Constitution defines the party system in any state. It also determines the requirements for the formation of any party. There are three major types of party system: One-party, Two-party and Multi-party system.

ROLES OF POPULAR ORGANIZATIONS/POLITICAL PARTIES

1. They help to promote democratic principles.
2. They ensure the accountability of government officials.
3. They promote peaceful change of government.
4. They bring about unity among different groups and interests.
5. They serve as watchdogs on elected representatives.
6. They provide political education to the public.
7. They provide welfare and humanitarian services.