Political parties play a crucial role in a democratic system, serving as vehicles for political competition and governance. In Nigeria, these parties have been instrumental in promoting national integration, nation-building, and democratic participation. With a rich history dating back to independence in 1960, Nigeria's political parties have evolved significantly, with the current dispensation of the Fourth Republic being the most successful democratic era.
The journey to the Fourth Republic began with the transition programme led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, which lasted nine months and resulted in the registration of three political parties in December 1998: the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the All Peoples Party (APP), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). These parties paved the way for the current democratic landscape, with dozens more registering over the years. As of November 2023, there were 19 registered parties, and by 2026, this number had risen to 21 with the registration of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The two dominant parties in Nigeria's politics are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP dominated Nigerian politics from 1999 to 2015, winning the presidency and controlling the majority of states. However, since 2015, the APC has become the dominant party, winning the presidency and controlling more state administrations than the PDP. The APC emerged through the merger of several parties, including the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Despite their successes, Nigeria's political parties face several challenges, including a lack of internal party democracy, godfatherism, intra- and inter-party conflicts, and electoral malpractices. These challenges have often led to political and electoral violence. However, the parties have also performed crucial functions, such as recruiting members, developing the political class, and promoting voter education and mobilisation.
One notable feature of Nigeria's political party system is the fluidity of party membership, with key members often decamping from one party to another. This has highlighted the dynamic nature of party alliances in Nigeria. Nevertheless, the dominant parties have made significant progress in avoiding ethnic and sectional cleavages that characterised the country's earlier political eras.
Nigeria's multiparty system is robust, guaranteeing freedom of political expression and choice. The existence of multiple parties has ensured that the country's politics remains vibrant and diverse. As the country marches towards the 2027 General Elections, the next phase of the evolution of Nigeria's political parties will be to become institutions dedicated to working for accelerated national transformation.
According to Prof. Wuam, a Senior Fellow at the Effective Governance Research Institute (EGRI), Nigeria's political parties have made significant progress in becoming nationally conscious organisations. To take the next step, they must transcend their current perception as mere vehicles for electoral contestations and focus on working for the country's development. With 21 registered parties, Nigeria's political landscape is set to remain diverse and dynamic in the years to come.
Key points
- There are currently 21 registered political parties in Nigeria.
- The two dominant parties in Nigeria are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
- Nigeria's multiparty system guarantees freedom of political expression and choice.
