Chapter One: Introduction
1.1
Background of the Study
The development of political parties in Nigeria dates
back to the days of the struggle for political independent in the late 1940s,
when the nationalists were at the pre-independence and post-independence
periods. In the pre-independence and the early post independence periods,
political parties in Nigeria were not ideologically based. Rather, they were
regionally based and woven around individual politicians who they saw as their
mentors. In the last ten years, however parties were registered based on the exigencies
of the time. This was the scenario until 1998; the need arose for parties that
could usher Nigeria into a new era of democracy after over fifteen years of
military rule. Historically, political parties in Nigeria have developed and
still play a vital role towards the realization of the democratic objectives.
Indeed, the last fifty years have seen an evolution of various political
parties. From 1991-1993, Nigeria practiced a two-party system, with the government establishing the Social
Democratic party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC). The military
government later proscribed the parties after annulling a presidential election in 1993.
But Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.
The restoration of democratic government
in 1999 led to a new approach to party politics in Nigeria. The procedure for
registering political parties was liberalized, thereby, opening up the
political space for mass participation in political activities in the country.
Today, there are more than fifty registered political parties in Nigeria, even
though only few of them have not been able to win any election. The few
political parties that have dominated the political space to the point that
fears are being expressed that the country was drifting towards a one-party
state. Opposition parties are beginning to cross to the ruling party both at
the federal and states levels.
Nigeria, like many other African countries, has had
its fair share of democratic challenges, but it has also recorded some
achievement over the years. There have already been calls across the country
for some adjustments and improvements on the way political parties are run and
managed, in the years to come. Many have argued that Nigeria must necessarily
adopt the methods that will guarantee the rights of its citizens to elect
leaders of their choice as provided for in the country‟s constitution.
As Nigeria consolidation its
democratic framework and mechanisms, the multi-parties in Nigeria, need to
exemplify a new level of commitment to the yearnings and aspirations of the
people for more fundamental and sustainable development.
The recently 2011 general
election in Nigeria really had some sets backs and it really brought the world
attention towards our political system. It also leads to them in asking some
questions concerning our democratic system [voice of Nigeria on Thursday April
18th, 2013].
1.2
Statement of the Problems
In a multi-party system, political parties, being the
main tool of political development in every existing and irrespective of their
various ideological bends, different political orientations and victory
potentials, they are still allowed to partake in political competition for the
control of machinery of government and also uniting of the people. In every
modern society, political parties are viewed to be an agent of unity, peace and
integration etc. in that society, but despite the above conception, multi-party......
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