ORGANISATION OF THE NRC AND SDP, ANPP, AD, PDP political parties

Any Nigerian not below eighteen years of age could register at his ward as a member of either party, irrespective of the person religion, ethnic group, place of birth, sex, social or economic status.

PARTY LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF NRC AND SDP

The two parties were established by Babangida regime in July 1986

N R C	S D P
The chairman: Tom Ikimi:	The chairman: Baba Gana Kingibe
Deputy chairman: S.O Lawani	Vice chairman: Augustine Ademola
National Secretary: Usman Alhaji	National Secretary: Ebene Osieke
Publicity Secretary: Doyin Okupe	Publicity Secretary: David Iornen
Treasurer: Chris Adighije	Treasurer: Hammani Bazza
Financial Secretary: Abubakar Buba	Financial Secretary: Frank Kokori
Legal Adviser: Rafiu Ariso	Legal Adviser: Ogana Lukpata
Auditor: Aliyu Yelwa	Auditor: Sambo Mohammed Koko

Both parties had national spread and support that seemed about equal.

OBJECTIVES OF THE NRC

1. Encouragement of a a free enterprise economy giving an opportunity to every Nigerian to own any business of their choice.
2. Creating opportunities for a political economy of a highly competitive market.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SDP

1. Build a self-reliant economy depending on the nation’s resources and individuals’ contributions
2. Bridge the gap between the rich and the poor by providing gainful employment for all Nigerians towards an equitable distribution of resources.

SOURCES OF REVENUE FOR THE NRC AND SDP

The major source of revenue of the two parties was government subvention, supplemented by annual membership fees (as decided by each party) and donations with limitations that no organization or individual should in a year, contribute more than #100,000 to a party nor more than #50,000 to a party candidate.

THE ALL NIGERIA PEOPLES PARTY (ANPP)

The All Nigeria people’s party is the result of the merger of the all people’s part and Nigerian people’s party led by Admiral Augustus Aikhomu.

During the 1999 presidential election, the APP had an alliance with the Alliance for Democrary party, to present Chief Olufalae of the AD as the presidential candidates, while Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi of the APP won nine states during the gubernatorial election.

In the 2003 election, the ANPP had the former military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as its presidential candidates and Dr Chuba Okadigbo as his running mate.

ANPP MANIFESTO

1. To uphold and defend the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
2. To attain political power through legitimate, democratic and constitutional means.
3. To give free universal compulsory and purposeful education at all levels.
4.  To develop agriculture, commerce and industry by means of integrated rural development.
5. To institutionalize a purposeful mobilization of the activity and resources of the people of Nigeria.

THE ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY

The alliance for Democracy (AD) members comprised of politicians who vehemently opposed the Abacha regime under the umbrella of the National Democracy Coalition (NADECO) and other pro-democracy groups. They included Chief Abraham Adesanya, Ayo Adebanjo, Cornelius Adebayo, Ayo Opadokun, Bola Ige, Debo Akande, Arthur Nwankwo, Tanko Yusuf, yusuf Mamman, Solanke Onasana, Dr. Udenta O. Udenta, Chief Chukwnemeka Ezeife, Adebayo Adefarati, Bassey Ekpo, Segun Osoba and Chief Olufalae.

ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY MANIFESTO

1. To uphold the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
2. To attain political power through legitimate, democratic and constitutional means, for the purpose of cultivating an egalitarian society based on the principles of equality, freedom and social justice.
3. To promote unity and political stability of Nigeria by institung the principle of power-sharing and rotation of key public officers among the country.
4. To enthrone freedom and eliminate poverty, want, ignorance, discrimination of all kinds, corruption and exploitation.
5. To pursue a dynamic foreign policy.

THE PEOPLES’ DEMOCRATIC PARTY

The peoples’ Democratic party was formed by a number of political associations. These associations merged to form the party on 19 August 1998. Some of these Nigerians included Chief Solomon Lar, Philip Asiodu, Dr alex Ekwueme, Don Etiebet, Dr John Nwobodo (Jnr), Graham Douglas, Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar, David Jemibewon, Tony Aneni, Dr Iyorcha Ayu and Gabriel Igbinedion.

P D P MANIFESTO

1. To promote and nurture democratic ideals and traditions on a sustainable basis.
2. To promote and establish political stability in Nigeria and foster national integration.
3. To promote and defend the Nigerian federal system of government.
4. To support private entrepreneurship
5. To promote industries using locally available raw materials.

ACHIEVEMENT OF THE P D P ADMINISTRATION

1. To maintain the loyalty of the military, the party retired all former political office holders in the military.
2. Efforts were made to recover all looted public money
3. The president appointed experienced politicians, technocrats and retired military officers into his cabinet.
4. His administration improved the condition of service of the workers and judicial officers.
5. Nigeria played a positive role in the establishment of the African Union and NEPAD.

SHORTCOMING OF THE P D P REGIME.

1. Intra-party wrangling and disputes.
2. Open disagreement between the executive and the legislature.
3. Poor handling of the Niger Delta and other exthnic crises
4. Poor handling of the economy
5. Mounting allegations of corruption and nepotism.

EVALUATION:

Critically examine the recognition of the N R C and S D P as the two major political parties in 1989.