The history of political parties in Nigeria reflects the country’s complex dynamics and diverse interests. Since independence, so many political parties have emerged, and with the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), these parties have been kept in check.
Currently, only 19 political parties are registered in Nigeria. These are the parties qualified to contest elections in the country. This article will give you the political parties we have in Nigeria, those in authority, and the list of unregistered parties.
A Brief History of Political Parties in Nigeria
The history of political parties in Nigeria can be traced back to the colonial era and has evolved significantly over time. Following Nigeria’s amalgamation as a British colony in 1914, the political landscape began to witness the emergence of nationalist movements aimed at gaining independence from colonial rule.
One of the earliest political parties in Nigeria was the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) formed in 1923. This became the first indigenous political party to bring together Nigerians from different regions. The party advocated for improved welfare for Nigerians and the promotion of self-governance. In 1944, the Action Group (AG) was founded by Obafemi Awolowo, a prominent nationalist leader. This party focused on advocating for the rights of the Yoruba people and implemented progressive policies in Western Nigeria when it gained power in 1954.
Another significant political party in Nigeria’s history is the Northern People’s Congress (NPC). Founded in 1949, the NPC championed the interests of the Northern region and played a crucial role in Nigeria’s independence struggle. Following Nigeria’s independence in 1960, political parties continued to emerge in various regions. The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) was reformed. Similarly, the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), formed in 1944, transformed into the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC).
Since then, Nigeria has witnessed the rise and fall of several political parties, each representing different regions, ideologies, and interests. Some notable parties include the All Progressive Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), among others. These parties have played a crucial role in shaping the country’s political landscape, sometimes promoting unity and development while at other times contributing to political tensions and conflicts.
The Registered Political Parties in Nigeria
- Accord (A)
- Action Alliance (AA)
- Action Democratic Party (ADP)
- Action Peoples Party (APP)
- African Action Congress (AAC)
- African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- All Progressives Congress (APC)
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
- Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
- Boot Party (BP)
- Labour Party (LP)
- National Rescue Movement (NRM)
- New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
- Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- Young Progressive Party (YPP)
- Youth Party (YP)
- Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
List of Political Parties Represented in the Nigerian National and State Assembly
Political Parties Represented in the National Assembly
1. All Progressives Congress (APC)
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- Slogan: Change
- Founded: 2013
2. People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
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- Slogan: Power to the People
- Founded: 1998
3. Young Progressive Party (YPP)
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- Slogan: Service to the People
- Founded: 2017
4. Labour Party (LP)
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- Slogan: Forward Ever
- Founded: 2002
5. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
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- Slogan: Be Your Brothers Keeper
- Founded: 2003
6. African Democratic Congress (ADC)
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- Slogan: Arise and Win
- Founded: 2005
7. Social Democratic Party (SDP)
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- Slogan: Progress
- Founded: 1989
8. New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
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- Slogan: Peace, Equity, and Progress
- Founded: 2020
Political Parties Represented in State Assemblies
1. All Progressives Congress (APC)
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- Slogan: Change
- Founded: 2013
2. People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
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- Slogan: Power to the People
- Founded: 1998
3. Young Progressive Party (YPP)
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- Slogan: The Party of the Future
- Founded: 2017
4. Labour Party (LP)
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- Slogan: Forward Ever
- Founded: 2002
5. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
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- Slogan: Be Your Brothers Keeper
- Founded: 2003
6. Social Democratic Party (SDP)
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- Slogan: Progress
- Founded: 1989
7. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
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- Slogan: Equity, Justice, and Development
- Founded: Unknown
8. Action Democratic Party (ADP)
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- Slogan: One Destiny
- Founded: 2017
Extra-parliamentary Parties
An extra-parliamentary party is a political party that does not participate in elections or does not have any representatives in the parliament. It may be opposed to the ruling government or the existing political party. Below is a list of the extra-parliamentary parties in Nigeria.
- Accord (A)
- Slogan: Oneness and Progress
- Action Alliance (AA) (formerly National Mass Movement of Nigeria (NMMN))
- Slogan: Let the Masses Live
- African Action Congress (AAC)
- Slogan: Take it Back – Action
- Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
- Slogan: Nigeria First
- Action Peoples Party (APP)
- Strong Economy – United Nigeria
- Boot Party (BP)
- Slogan: Because of Our Tomorrow
- Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
- Victory
- National Rescue Movement (NRM)
- Slogan: Together We Can Rescue Our Nation Nigeria
- Youth Party
- Slogan: Shape the Future
Unregistered Political Parties in Nigeria
- Young Democratic Party (YDP)
- Yes Electorates Solidarity (YES)
- We The People Nigeria (WTPN)
- Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)
- United Progressive Party (UPP)
- United People’s Congress (UPC)
- United Patriots (UP)
- United Nigeria People’s Party (UNPP)
- United Democratic Party (UDP)
- Sustainable National Party (SNP)
- Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN)
- Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP)
- Save Nigeria Congress (SNC)
- Restoration Party of Nigeria (RP)
- Reform and Advancement Party (RAP)
- Re-Build Nigeria Party (RBNP)
- Providence People’s Congress (PPC)
- Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA)
- People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
- People’s Trust (PT)
- People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN)
- People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)
- People for Democratic Change (PDC)
- Nigeria People’s Congress (NPC)
- Nigeria For Democracy (NFD)
- Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP)
- Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (NDCP)
- Nigeria Community Movement Party (NCMP)
- New Progressive Movement (NPM)
- New Generations Party of Nigeria (NGP)
- National Unity Party (NUP)
- National Interest Party (NIP)
- National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP)
- National Conscience Party (NCP)
- National Action Council (NAC)
- Movement of the People (MOP)
- Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD)
- Modern Democratic Party (MDP)
- Mega Party Of Nigeria (MPN)
- Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN)
- Mass Action Joint Alliance (MAJA)
- Liberation Movement (LM)
- Legacy Party of Nigeria (LPN)
- KOWA Party (KP)
- Justice Must Prevail Party (JMPP)
- Independent Democrats (ID)
- Hope Democratic Party (HDP)
- Green Party of Nigeria (GPN)
- Grassroots Development Party Of Nigeria (GDPN)
- Fresh Democratic Party (FDP)
- Freedom And Justice Party (FJP)
- Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM)
- Democratic People’s Party (DPP)
- Democratic People’s Congress (DPC)
- Democratic Alternative (DA)
- Congress of Patriots (COP)
- Communist Party of Nigeria (CPN)
- Coalition For Change (C4C)
- Change Nigeria Party (CNP)
- Change Advocacy Party (CAP)
- Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP)
- Alternative Party of Nigeria (APN)
- Allied Congress Party Of Nigeria (ACPN)
- Alliance Of Social Democrats (ASD)
- Alliance National Party (ANP)
- Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN)
- Alliance for Democracy (AD)
- Alliance for a United Nigeria (AUN)
- All Grassroots Alliance (AGA)
- All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP)
- All Blended Party (ABP)
- African People Alliance (APA)
- Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA)
- Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP)
- Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD)
- Advanced Allied Party (AAP)
- Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP)