Nigeria is one of the largest countries in Africa, with a population of over 200 million people. It is also one of the most politically active countries on the continent. Nigeria’s political system is multi-party, with a number of political parties vying for power at different levels of government. In this article, we will take a closer look at the major political parties in Nigeria, their history, ideology, and influence on Nigerian politics.
The All Progressives Congress (APC)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is one of the major political parties in Nigeria. It was formed in 2013 as a merger of four opposition parties, namely 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 party’s ideology is centered around economic liberalism and a commitment to fighting corruption.
The APC was able to defeat the incumbent People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 presidential election, with Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate. Buhari was re-elected in 2019 for a second term in office. The APC controls most of the states in Nigeria, with 20 of the 36 states under its control.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is the largest political party in Nigeria. It was formed in 1998, following the end of military rule in the country. The party’s ideology is based on social democracy, with a focus on providing social services and reducing poverty.
The PDP was in power for 16 years, from 1999 to 2015. During this time, it was able to introduce several economic and social reforms, including the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program. The PDP is currently the main opposition party in Nigeria, with control of 16 states.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP)
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is a political party in Nigeria that was formed in 2013. It is one of the few political parties in the country that is not associated with either the APC or the PDP. The party’s ideology is based on social democracy, with a focus on reducing poverty and promoting social justice.
The SDP has never won a presidential election in Nigeria, but it has had some success at the state level. In the 2019 elections, the party was able to win the governorship election in Osun State. The SDP is currently a minor party in Nigeria, with no control of any state.
Other Political Parties
In addition to the major political parties in Nigeria, there are several other political parties that are active in the country. Some of these parties include:
- Labour Party (LP): A socialist party that was formed in 2002. It has control of one state in Nigeria.
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA): A political party that was formed in 2002. It has control of one state in Nigeria.
- Accord Party: A political party that was formed in 2010. It has no control over any state in Nigeria.
Conclusion
The political landscape in Nigeria is diverse and dynamic, with a number of political parties vying for power at different levels of government. The major political parties in Nigeria are the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). While each party has its own unique ideology and history, they all play a crucial role in shaping the future of Nigeria.
