Other Political Parties in Nigeria

Overview

While the All Progressives Congress (APC), People's Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party currently dominate Nigeria's political landscape, the country has a diverse array of other political parties. These parties range from those with significant regional influence to newer parties seeking to establish themselves as alternatives to the major players.

Nigeria's multi-party democracy has seen fluctuations in the number of registered parties. Following the 2018 Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered many parties that failed to meet certain criteria, reducing the number from 91 to 18. However, court rulings later reinstated some parties, and new registrations have occurred.

Significant Regional and Specialized Parties

Historical Parties of Significance

Several parties that are no longer active played important roles in Nigeria's political history:

• Action Group (AG): Led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the First Republic (1960-1966), it was dominant in Western Nigeria
• Northern People's Congress (NPC): Led by Sir Ahmadu Bello in the First Republic, it was the dominant party in Northern Nigeria
• National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons/National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC): Led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, it was strong in Eastern Nigeria during the First Republic
• Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN): Led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Second Republic (1979-1983)
• National Party of Nigeria (NPN): The ruling party during the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari
• Congress for Progressive Change (CPC): Founded by Muhammadu Buhari, it later merged with other parties to form the APC in 2013
• Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN): Led by Bola Tinubu, it was one of the parties that merged to form the APC

Challenges Facing Smaller Parties

Minor political parties in Nigeria face numerous challenges that limit their electoral competitiveness:

• Financial Constraints: Limited funding compared to the major parties, affecting their ability to campaign effectively
• Media Coverage: Difficulty in securing media attention, which tends to focus on the major parties
• Electoral System: The first-past-the-post system tends to favor larger parties
• Infrastructure: Weak organizational structures and limited presence across the country
• Personality Politics: Nigerian politics often revolves around strong personalities rather than party platforms
• Regulatory Hurdles: Requirements to maintain registration, including performance thresholds in elections

Role in Nigeria's Democracy

Despite their electoral challenges, smaller parties play several important roles in Nigeria's democratic system:

• Representation of Diverse Interests: They provide platforms for groups and viewpoints that may not be represented by the major parties
• Policy Innovation: They often introduce new policy ideas and approaches that may eventually be adopted by larger parties
• Political Inclusion: They create opportunities for political participation for citizens who feel alienated from the major parties
• Coalition Building: They can play crucial roles in forming coalitions, particularly at the state level
• Democratic Contestation: Their participation ensures that elections remain competitive and that the major parties do not take voters for granted
• Training Ground: They often serve as political training grounds for emerging leaders who may later join larger parties

Future Prospects

The future of Nigeria's smaller political parties will be shaped by several factors:

• Electoral Reforms: Potential changes to the electoral system that might create more opportunities for smaller parties
• Generational Shift: The growing political engagement of younger Nigerians who may be more open to alternatives to the established parties
• Issue-Based Politics: A potential shift toward more issue-based rather than identity-based politics
• Digital Campaigning: The increasing importance of social media and digital platforms, which can reduce the cost of political communication
• Coalition Strategies: The potential for strategic alliances and coalitions among smaller parties to increase their collective impact
• Regional Consolidation: The possibility of parties focusing on building strong regional bases before expanding nationally