List of political parties in Nigeria

There are several political parties in the federal republic of Nigeria. However, the two major political parties in Nigeria are the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

These two parties have been the dominant parties in Nigerian politics since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Other political parties have also gained some level of popularity in recent years, but the APC and PDP are generally considered to be the most popular and influential political parties in Nigeria. However, after the just concluded 2023 General Election, Labour Party (LP) has also joined the APC and PDP to be one of the main political parties in Nigeria.

History Of The People’s Democratic Party Of Nigeria

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is a political party in Nigeria. A group of politicians, led by the former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo, formed it in 1998.

The party emerged after a pro-democracy movement successfully campaigned for the transition from military to civilian rule in the country.

The primary goal of the party was to advance democratic principles, sound leadership, and national solidarity.

In the 1999 general elections, the PDP won a majority of seats in the National Assembly and its presidential candidate, Obasanjo, was elected president of Nigeria. Under Obasanjo’s leadership, the PDP implemented a range of economic and political reforms, including the introduction of the National Identity Card scheme, the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission, and the creation of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to tackle corruption.

In subsequent elections, the PDP maintained its dominance, winning a majority of seats in the National Assembly and controlling many state governments. However, the party has faced criticism over the years, particularly over issues of corruption, insecurity, and governance.

In the 2015 general elections, the PDP suffered a significant defeat, with its presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, losing to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP also lost control of the National Assembly and many state governments. Despite this setback, the PDP remains one of the major political parties in Nigeria, and it continues to play a prominent role in Nigerian politics.

History Of The All progressives Congress APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is a political party in Nigeria that was formed in 2013 as a merger of four opposition parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The merger was driven by a desire to provide a strong opposition to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which had held power in Nigeria since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

The leaders of the merging parties saw the need for a united opposition to challenge the PDP, which had been accused of corruption and mismanagement of the country’s resources.

The formation of the APC was a significant development in Nigerian politics, as it brought together politicians and parties from different regions of the country and different ethnic and religious backgrounds. The party capitalised on popular dissatisfaction with the PDP’s record in government, and it campaigned on a platform of change, promising to tackle corruption, improve security, and revive the economy.

In the 2015 presidential election, the APC’s candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, defeated the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP, in a historic election that saw the first peaceful transfer of power between parties in Nigeria’s democratic history. The APC also won a majority of seats in the National Assembly and in many state houses of assembly.

Since coming to power, the APC has faced several challenges, including a struggling economy, security threats from Boko Haram and other insurgent groups, and internal party disputes. However, it remains a major political force in Nigeria, and its leaders continue to promote the party’s vision of progressive governance and national development.

Major Political Parties In Nigeria

As of September 2021, some of the major political parties in Nigeria are:

1. All Progressives Congress (APC)
2. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
3. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
4. Labour Party (LP)
5. Social Democratic Party (SDP)
6. Action Democratic Party (ADP)
7. Young Progressive Party (YPP)
8. African Democratic Congress (ADC)
9. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
10. Allied Peoples Movement (APM)

They can register new political parties with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria at any time, so this list may not be exhaustive or up to date.

Other Political parties in Nigeria

There are several other political parties in Nigeria apart from the major ones. Some of these parties include:

1. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
2. Labour Party (LP)
3. Social Democratic Party (SDP)
4. Action Democratic Party (ADP)
5. Young Progressive Party (YPP)
6. African Democratic Congress (ADC)
7. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
8. Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
9. Boot Party (BP)
10. Green Party of Nigeria (GPN)
11. Kowa Party (KP)
12. National Conscience Party (NCP)
13. Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN)
14. Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA)
15. Rebuild Nigeria Party (RNP)

Political parties in Nigeria that presented candidate in the 2023 election

18 Political parties in Nigeria There are 18 registered political parties in Nigeria as approved by INEC for the 2023 general election, as against 91 Political parties in 2019

List of 18 Political parties in Nigeria: 2023 Election.

1. Accord A
2. Action Alliance AA
3. Action Democratic Party ADP
4. Action Peoples Party APP
5. African Action Congress AAC
6. African Democratic Congress ADC
7. All Progressives Congress APC
8. All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA
9. Allied Peoples Movement APM
10. Boot Party BP
11. Labour Party LP
12. National Rescue Movement NRM
13. New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP
14. Peoples Democratic Party PDP
15. Peoples Redemption Party PRP
16. Social Democratic Party SDP
17. Young Progressive Party YPP
18. Zenith Labour Party ZLP

Other relevant question about democracy in Nigeria

Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions in Nigeria including democracy, the house of representatives, political parties in nigeria and others.

• What are the 5 major political parties in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, there are various types of political parties with different ideologies, visions, and goals. Here are some of the types of political parties that exist in Nigeria:

1. Nationalist Parties: These parties promote nationalism and focus on the unity and development of the country as a whole. Examples include the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
2. Regional Parties: These parties are focused on the interests of a particular region or group of people within the country. Examples include the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which is popular in the Southeastern part of Nigeria.
3. Religious Parties: These parties promote the interests of a particular religion or religious group. An example is the Christian Democratic Party of Nigeria.
4. Ethnic Parties: These parties represent the interests of a particular ethnic group or groups. An example is the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), which represents the interests of the Yoruba ethnic group.
5. Ideological Parties: These parties promote a particular ideology or set of beliefs, such as socialism, capitalism, or conservatism. An example is the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), which promotes socialist ideas.

It is important to note that the Nigerian Constitution prohibits the formation of political parties based on ethnicity, religion, or regionalism. However, some parties may be perceived to be aligned with particular ethnic or religious groups.

What Was The first political in Nigeria?

The first political party in Nigeria was the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), founded in 1923 by Herbert Macaulay. The NNDP was a pro-Western and conservative party that focused on promoting the interests of educated elites, and it held a dominant position in Nigerian politics throughout the colonial era.

The 1950s saw the emergence of two significant Nigerian political parties, the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) and the Action Group (AG), who became important figures in Nigerian politics in the years before independence in 1960.

How Long Has Nigeria Been Democratic?

Over the years, Nigeria has experienced periods of democracy and military dictatorship, leading to a complicated and multifaceted political history. Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, and became a republic on October 1, 1963, with Nnamdi Azikiwe as its first president. However, Nigeria’s First Republic, as it was known, was short-lived, and in January 1966, a group of military officers staged a coup and seized power, marking the beginning of a long period of military rule that lasted for several decades.

Nigeria’s transition to democracy began in 1999, after years of military dictatorship and political instability. The military government under General Abdulsalami Abubakar handed over power to an elected civilian government led by President Olusegun Obasanjo, marking the beginning of the Fourth Republic. Since then, Nigeria has held several general elections, with the most recent being held in 2019. While Nigeria has made progress in consolidating democratic rule, the country continues to face challenges such as corruption, electoral violence, and political polarisation.

What is the democratic process?

The democratic process refers to the system by which a government operates based on the principles of democracy, which includes the following key elements:

1. Free and Fair Elections: This involves the regular holding of elections in which all citizens are able to participate, and which are conducted in a free and fair manner, without intimidation or manipulation.
2. Separation of Powers: The democratic process requires the separation of powers between the different branches of government, such as the executive, legislative, and judiciary, to ensure a system of checks and balances.
3. Rule of Law: The democratic process is grounded in the rule of law, which means that all individuals, including those in positions of power, are subject to the law and must abide by its provisions.
4. Protection of Individual Rights: The democratic process protects individual rights such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, as well as the right to due process and equal protection under the law.
5. Citizen Participation: The democratic process encourages citizen participation in government and decision-making through mechanisms such as public hearings, town hall meetings, and other forms of civic engagement.

Overall, the democratic process is designed to promote accountability, transparency, and responsiveness in government, and to ensure that the voices and interests of all citizens are heard and represented.