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    1) Political parties represent groups of citizens who seek to influence government policy and gain political power through elections. 2) In Nigeria, the first major political parties emerged between 1944-1960 and included the NCNC, NPC, AG, and NEPU. During the second republic from 1979-1983, six new parties operated including the NPN, UPN, NPP, PRP, GNPP, and NAP. 3) Political parties can create problems for a country by causing disagreements over sharp ideological differences that threaten national unity, or by becoming dependent on external funding that allows foreign interference in domestic affairs.

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    1) Political parties represent groups of citizens who seek to influence government policy and gain political power through elections. 2) In Nigeria, the first major political parties emerged between 1944-1960 and included the NCNC, NPC, AG, and NEPU. During the second republic from 1979-1983, six new parties operated including the NPN, UPN, NPP, PRP, GNPP, and NAP. 3) Political parties can create problems for a country by causing disagreements over sharp ideological differences that threaten national unity, or by becoming dependent on external funding that allows foreign interference in domestic affairs.

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    1) Political parties represent groups of citizens who seek to influence government policy and gain political power through elections. 2) In Nigeria, the first major political parties emerged between 1944-1960 and included the NCNC, NPC, AG, and NEPU. During the second republic from 1979-1983, six new parties operated including the NPN, UPN, NPP, PRP, GNPP, and NAP. 3) Political parties can create problems for a country by causing disagreements over sharp ideological differences that threaten national unity, or by becoming dependent on external funding that allows foreign interference in domestic affairs.

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    15 views3 pages

    DLS

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    hassanhamdala4
    1) Political parties represent groups of citizens who seek to influence government policy and gain political power through elections. 2) In Nigeria, the first major political parties emerged between 1944-1960 and included the NCNC, NPC, AG, and NEPU. During the second republic from 1979-1983, six new parties operated including the NPN, UPN, NPP, PRP, GNPP, and NAP. 3) Political parties can create problems for a country by causing disagreements over sharp ideological differences that threaten national unity, or by becoming dependent on external funding that allows foreign interference in domestic affairs.

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    of 3

    INTRODUCTION

    In all human societies, the individuals have different views on how to promote harmonious social living.
    This is natural; for different people think differently. But, from these different shades of opinions, one
    can establish some common trends of thought. As a gregarious animal, man tends to congregate more
    freely with those who have similar opinions about life.

    Because of these differences in the approach to life, we tend to have and belong to different groups and
    associations among which are political parties in a given country. Each party or group of people tries to
    find solution to social problems based on their beliefs and ideologies. It is generally believed that in
    Africa, many of us tend to think that those who have views and opinions different from ours are
    enemies.

    In this unit, you will be made aware of the political parties in Nigeria, their functions and the problems
    they create. These, we hope, will enable you to think of how we can minimize the conflicts amongst
    political parties in Nigeria so that we can have a harmonious social living.

    DEFINITION OF POLITICAL PARTY

    According to Colegrove and Blackly (1971), a political party is a group of citizens who seek to win control
    of the government in a legal manner, by means of the popular vote in elections. The definition by Alan
    (1977) is similar it is a group of individuals who either singly, or in co-operation with other political
    parties, seek political power.

    Alan explained that a common goal by which political parties may be characterized is the attainment of
    political power. He noted that a meaningful definition can only be provided by reference to this
    common goal.

    FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

    Political parties perform a number of useful functions in society. Among many useful functions
    performed by political parties are:

    a. Through engaging in political competition, they keep public officials aware of the will of the people.
    Thus, they provide a useful link between government and the governed.

    b. Through competition, co-operation and negotiation, they help the citizens to reach consensus on
    many problematic issues.

    c. They help to unite, and stabilise the society. They bridge the political society and widen the interests
    which they represent thereby creating order out of chaos..

    d. They recruit political leadership for the state and thus act as checks on hereditary and other imposed
    leadership. The popular political leadership which they provide enhance social and political stability.
    e. In many colonized territories, they provide the framework within which nationalist struggles were
    carried out and independence ultimately won.

    POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA

    Nigerians had shown interest in the formation of political parties for quite some time now. For instance,
    between 1944 and 1960, the country's year of political independence, four major political parties were
    known to have emerged.

    These were:

    a. The National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC), formed by Herbert. Macaulay, Nnamdi
    Azikiwe and others in 1944.

    b. The Northern People's Congress (NPC) founded in 1949 by Sir Ahmadu Bello.

    c. The Action Group (AG) founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1951.

    d. Northern Elements Progressive Union founded by Mallam Aminu Kano.

    This early political parties survived beyond 1960 and through the first republic i.e. up to 1966 before
    they were banned, following a military take over of the government.

    During the second republic (1979-83) six new political parties were formed and allowed to operate.

    These were:

    a The National Party of Nigeria (NPN)

    b. The Unity Party of (UPN)

    c. The Nigerian People's Party (NPP)

    d. Redemption Party (PRP)

    e. The Great Nigerian People's Party (GNPP)

    f. The Nigerian Advance Party (NAP).

    These parties were again banned by the military in December, 1983, due to their inability to properly
    manage the political affairs of the country.

    Think of more political parties from 1992 to the time you are reading this book e.g. SDP, NRC, DPN,
    UNCP, PDP, APP, AD etc.

    PROBLEMS CREATED BY POLITICAL PARTIES

    Political parties may sometimes create serious problems for the country in which they are registered to
    operate. Two of such problems may be noted:
    a. Where there are two or more of such parties, sharp ideological differences may cause disagreement
    which is deep enough to be detrimental to national unity and survival.

    b. A political party may not be strong enough to finance its operations, particularly. during elections.
    This may force it into seeking external aid, thereby exposing the. affairs of the country to external
    interference manipulation, and remote control.

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