DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA
Historical Background
Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) and Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) were formed as
political parties after the introduction of the Clifford Constitution. They could not be said to be national
parties. Their activities were mainly restricted to Lagos. However, at the end of the Second World War,
new political parties emerged and replaced the NNDP and NYM. Some of these new parties were in two
groups—major and minor parties.
Some of the major parties were the National Council of Nigeria and the Camerouns (NCNC), Northern
People’s Congress (NPC) and Action Group (AG). Some of the minor parties were the Northern Elements
Progressive Union (NEPU), United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC), Dynamic Party (DP), Bornu Youth
Movement (BYM), etc. Most of these parties, if not all, were regional in outlook and based on ethnic
sentiment and it can be said that none of them commanded nationwide support. Some scholars have
argued that NCNC was more of a national party than others. However, they were formed mainly to
awaken people’s consciousness towards the struggle for political independence.
that NCNC was more of a national party than others. However, they were formed mainly to awaken
people’s consciousness towards the struggle for political independence.
27.2 NIGERIAN NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (NNDP)
The Nigerian National Democratic Party(NNDP) was formed in 1923 and under the leadership of Sir
Herbert Macaulay, popularly referred to as “Father of Nigerian nationalism”. This party won all the three
seats in Lagos into the Legislative Council in the elections of 1923, 1928 and 1933. It also won the
elections into the Lagos Town Council when the elective principle was introduced.
The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) also founded Lagos Daily News. This was a newspaper
formed by this party. It was an arm of the party which helped to encourage political activities, especially
in Lagos. The party was mainly based in Lagos and did not have a national outlook. The financing of the
party was done by party members.
However, the political history of Lagos in the twenties and thirties was essentially the history of Herbert
Macaulay’s political activities. He always identified himself with the people.
27.3 NIGERIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT
It was formed in 1935 and featured characters like;Ernest Ikoli, Samuel Akinsanya and Dr. C. Vaughan.
The movement competed with NNDP for the control of political activities of Lagos.
Nnamdi Azikiwe,H.O. Davies, Obaferni Awolowo and Samuel Akintola later joined the movement. The
party had a national outlook based on the composition of the members.
Aims and Objectives
(i)To work towards the unity of Nigeria.
(ii)To work towards the attainment of self-rule.
27.5 THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF
NIGERIA AND THE CAMEROUNS(NCNC)
The NCNC was formed in 1944. The first president was Herbert Macaulay and the first general secretary
was Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. At the death of Herbert Macaulay, Azikiwe became the president and when
Southern Cameroun left Nigeria in August 1944, the NCNC changed its name to the National Council for
Nigerian Citizens. This party was seen by some scholars as a truly national party.
27.6 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NCNC
1. Political reforms: To arouse mass interest and obtain overwhelming national support for political
reforms.
2. Political education: To achieve political independence by giving political education to the people of
Nigeria.
3. Toprovidethe members with a medium of expression: In order to secure political freedom, economic
security, social equality and religious tolerance, a good medium of expression had to be introduced.
27.8 NORTHERN PEOPLE'S CONGRESS (NPC)
Northern People's Congress(NPC) was formed in 1951. It started as a cultural organisation, Jamiyyar
Mutanem Arewa. The party was dominated by the Hausa/Fulanis, and Islam was the main focus. It ruled
Northern Nigeria from 1951 to 1965. The leader was the late Sir Ahmadu Bello with Sir Abubakar Tafawa
Balewa as deputy. The party produced the first prime minister of Nigeria.
27.9 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF NPC
1. Development of the North: The party worked towards developing the North, both politically and
economically.
2. Autonomy: To work towards making the North autonomous.
3. Common understanding: To create an atmosphere for common understanding among the people of
the North.
4. Political education: The NPC helped in educating the Northerners on their political rights.
27.11 THE ACTION GROUP (AG)
The Action Group(AG) was formed in 1951 as the political wing of the Egbe Ono Oduduwa (a Yoruba
cultural organisation). Its leader was Obafemi Awolowo. It dominated the Western Region political
scene for 11 years (1951-1962). Other political figures in this party were S.L. Akintola, Bode Thomas,
Chief Shonibare, etc. The Action Group, at its launch, was declared a regional party, and it worked
towards bringing together all the nationalists in the region.
Aims and Objectives of Action Group
1. Federal form of government: It advocated a federal form of government.
2. To bring all nationalists in the Western Region under one umbrella.
3. To awaken the political consciousness in the lives of the people.
4. Growth and development: To work towards the growth and development of the West.