Development Of Political Parties III SS2 Government Lesson Note

POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE SECOND REPUBLIC

1. The National Party of Nigeria(NPN)

The NPN was officially launched in September 1978 in Lagos after the lifting of a ban on party politics. The NPN could be seen as an offshoot of NPC (the first republican political party). The bulk of the leaders of the NPN came from the former NPC and a few others from other parts of the country. The leaders included; Alhaji Aliyu Makama Bida, Ali Monguno, Shehu Shagari, Adamu Ciroma, Adisa Akinloye (the party’s chairman) etc.

Aims And Objectives Of Npn

1. To develop an enviable housing scheme for all in both urban and rural settings.
2. To build a strong and united nation where contented citizens would live in peace and harmony
3. To show respect to the provisions of the constitution.
4. To build a prosperous and self-reliant Nigeria based on a strong agricultural and industrial sector where all Nigerians would be given equal opportunities regardless of sex, race, religion or tribe.

Contribution Of The N.P.N

1. National party: The party had a true national colouration because its members spread to almost all parts of the country.
2. The party won the 1979 and 1983 Republican presidential elections.
3. The party produced the first executive president for the country.
4. The party also won governorship elections in seven states of the federation.
5. N.P.N. to some extent implemented its housing scheme in all the states.
6. The party helped in producing seasoned politicians who can stand the test of type anytime and anywhere.

UNITY PARTY OF NIGERIA (UPN)

It was the UPN that emerged as the first political association after the ban on political activities was lifted by the military government. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the founder and leader of UPN. Other prominent personalities of the party included; Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, Professor Ambrose Alli, etc. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the presidential candidate of the party. The majority of the members of UPN belonged to the first Republic Action Group.

Aims And Objectives Of UPN

1. Free education at all levels.Integrated rural development.
2. Free health services for all citizens.
3.  Full and gainful employment for all the able-bodied.

Contributions Of The UPN

1. The party won gubernatorial elections in five states in 1979 and lost one of them in the 1983 elections.
2. UPN successfully acted as a strong opposition party that reduced the excesses of the ruling  NPN.
3. The party introduced free education in all the states won by UPN.
4. The party produced eminent politicians in Nigeria.
5. The party helped to educate the citizens through their programmes and activities e.g. rallies, symposia etc.

THE NIGERIA PEOPLE’S PARTY

It was Alhaji Waziri who led the group of Nigerians that formed the NPP. Other members were, ChiefAdeniranOgunsanya who later became the chairman of the party, Chief Olu Akinfosile, Chief Mathew T. Mbu, Dr Obi Wali Chief Sam Mbakwe, Chief Dominic Nwaobodo, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim etc. Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe joined the party after its formation and later became its leader and presidential candidate. 

Aims And Objectives Of NPP

1. To promote and sustain the unity of Nigeria.
2. To work towards full employment of all Nigerians.
3.  For a better standard of living by providing shelter and food.
4. To work for a secular state that upholds democracy and, the rule of law and guarantees fundamental. Human rights.
5. To work towards a virile and self-reliant economy.

Contributions Of NPP

1. The party won gubernatorial elections and controlled three states Imo, Anambra and Plateau.
2. The party contributed to producing prominent politicians in Nigeria.
3.  The party served as a link between the government and the people.
4. The party cooperated with the ruling party in government to ensure a sustainable second republic administration.
5. It helped to recruit leaders to political offices in the government as well as in the parties.

GREAT NIGERIA PEOPLE’S PARTY

The great Nigeria People’s Party was formed by Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri who was a founding member of NPP. He left the NPP as a result of a disagreement he had with other members of the party caucus over the post of party chairman and presidential candidate and formed the GNPP. Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri the author and advocate of Politics without Bitterness became the national leader and the presidential candidate of the party. The party won and controlled the states of Borno and Gongola.

PEOPLE’S REDEMPTION PARTY (PRP)

The People Redemption Party was formed by Mallam Aminu Kano who became the party’s national leader and the presidential candidate. The party won gubernatorial elections and controlled two states Kano and Kaduna. 

The last party to be registered, Nigeria Advance Party (NAP) was formed by a Lagos lawyer Mr. Tunji Braithwaite. The party was registered after the 1979 general election and it contested the 1983 elections but did not win the presidency or any gubernatorial election.