Nigeria operates a multi-party democracy system whereby many political parties stand for various ideas and interests.
It is pertinent for Nigerians to be updated about the various political parties in Nigeria, the majority of which are vying for a position in the government, as the 2023 general election approaches. The electorate must know the various parties, their values and ideals to enable them to make an informed choice on election day.
There are 18 political parties currently registered in the country, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the country’s electoral umpire.
Political parties in Nigeria
So without further ado, listed below are the 18 registered political parties in Nigeria.
1. All Progressives Congress (APC)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) was established in Nigeria on February 6, 2013, ahead of the 2015 elections. With a little under 2.6 million votes, the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, was elected as Nigeria’s President. Power transitioned smoothly from one political party to another, marking a first in Nigeria’s political history for an opposition political party to topple the incumbent party in a general election in the Fourth Republic.
In addition, the APC gained the majority of seats in the Senate and House of Representatives in the 2015 elections, although it fell short of achieving a super-majority to overcome the opposition People’s Democratic Party.
The APC, which is now in power, is often regarded as a centre-left conservative party. With a sizable majority in both houses of the Nigerian legislature, it is currently the largest of all the political parties in Nigeria.
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2. People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was created in August 1998 by members of a variety of defunct political parties and organisations, notably the groupings known as G-18 and G-34. The party, which has a large political following, supports several causes, including increased spending on health care and education, as well as economic liberalisation.
Except for the 2015 and 2019 general elections, the PDP has been in power since 1999 and triumphed in all of the country’s presidential elections. The PDP, which is currently the major opposition party, is frequently referred to as a centrist party.
The party implemented various policies while in power such as the privatisation of state-owned businesses and the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector among others. It has produced three presidents for the country in the Fourth Republic.
3. Labour Party (LP)
After the 2003 general election, the Party for Democracy – which was established in 2002 – formally changed its name to Labour Party.
The Labour Party of Nigeria (LP) is a political organisation dedicated to advancing and upholding social democratic goals and principles. It is led by Julius Abure. The party has had one successful gubernatorial candidate in the person of former member Olusegun Mimiko, who ran successfully for two terms (2009-2017).
Former Anambra State governor and businessman, Peter Obi, is the party’s presidential candidate ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming 2023 presidential election
4. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
In 2003, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was established. The party received 1.4 per cent of the popular vote and two of the 360 seats up for election in Nigeria’s House of Representatives in the 2003 general election, but it did not receive any seats in the Senate. At that time, its presidential candidate, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, received 3.3 per cent of the vote during the presidential elections of April 19, 2003.
A factional wing of the party joined with the Action Congress of Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, and the Congress for Progressive Change to become the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February 2013.
Since 2003, the party has always won the governorship election in Anambra State, which is considered to be its base.
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5. Young Progressives Party (YPP)
The Young Progressives Party (YPP), which was founded in 2016, obtained its accreditation as a recognised political party in 2017. Bishop Amakiri currently serves as the YPP’s national chairman.
Ifeanyi Ubah, a multibillionaire business magnate, became the first candidate to be elected to the National Assembly under the YPP when he won the Anambra South senatorial seat in the 2019 general election.
6. Accord (A)
Accord is a Nigerian political party with not so many renowned members. The party won 0 out of 109 Senate seats and 1 House of Representatives member (Dauda Kako Abayomi Are from Mushin I constituency) in the 2015 National Assembly elections.
Currently, the national chairman of the political party is Mohammed Lawal Nalado.
7. Action Alliance (AA)
The Action Alliance party was established in 2005, by a joint committee that included Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, Sulaiman Abdrasheed, Ibrahim Isa and others. The party’s highest positions attained include two seats in the National Assembly.
8. Action Democratic Party (ADP)
The Action Democratic Party (ADP) is a political party in Nigeria. Founded in June 2017 by a group of activists. The ADP seeks to make the country a better place through democratic policies and progressive reforms. It also believes in a form of government based on the principles of democracy, justice, and peace.
The party is led by its National Chairman, Yabagi Sani; and its National Secretary, Victor Fingesi.
9. Action Peoples Party (APP)
The All People’s Party (APP) was formally launched on February 23, 2018, in Abuja. The party seeks to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community in which no Nigerian shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. It also aims to promote human rights and open government, a sustainable economy which serves a genuine need, public services of the highest quality, and international action based on a recognition of the interdependence of all the world’s peoples
The party’s current National Chairman is Uchenna Nnadi.
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10. African Action Congress (AAC)
Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, founded the left-wing party, African Action Congress (AAC). The party was formally launched on August 15th, 2018, in Abuja, the nation’s capital. Its catchphrase is “Take it back-action.”
Sowore has been the party’s presidential candidate for the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
11. African Democratic Congress (ADC)
The party, formerly known as the Alliance for Democratic Change, was founded in 2005. However, it changed its name to the African Democratic Congress to better reflect the ambitions of the general populace, as it worked to bring about a desired change in Nigeria. Over the years, there have been several ADC candidates for governor, but none of them has succeeded in winning their elections.
Since its founding, the ADC has produced six presidential candidates, including Patrick Utomi (2007), Peter Uchenna Nwangwu (2011), Mani Ibrahim Ahmad (2015), and Obadiah Mailafia (2019).
The ADP has announced Dumebi Kachikwu as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.
12. People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) is a political party in Nigeria that works to advance the equality and worth of all people, the power of the populace, the regulation of the economy by the government, true federalism, and complete emancipation from imperialism.
The PRP has a lengthy history; it was established in 1978 by the revered Kano politician, Aminu Kano. Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa served as its Chairman during the Fourth Republic until 2018, quitting due to health issues.
Falalu Bello currently serves as the National Chairman of the PRP. The party is still active in Nigerian politics today, unlike some of its contemporaries which have faded out of the scene.
13. Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is a recognised political party in Nigeria. It was registered by INEC as a political party in Nigeria in 2018.
Yusuf Mamman Dantalle currently serves as the party’s National Chairman, and Oyadeyi Ayodele Adebayo is the National Secretary.
14. Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Social Democratic Party (SDP) is a political party aligned to the left of the country’s political spectrum. Ibrahim Babangida, the former military leader, founded it in 1989 alongside the National Republican Convention (NRC) as part of efforts towards the country’s transition to democracy, which was eventually botched in 1993.
The Social Democratic Party’s initials and name are combined in the logo, which serves as a representation of the group.
Shehu Gabam is the National Chairman of the SDP.
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15. New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) was founded in 2002. Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and an ex-minister of defence, was instrumental in the formation of the party.
With Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as its candidate and Isaac Idahosa serving as his running partner, the party is currently vying for the presidency in the 2023 general election.
Rufai Ahmed Alkali serves as the party’s National Chairman at the moment.
16. Boot Party (BP)
Boot Party was registered as a political party in Nigeria in 2016.
Sunday Adenuga, who is the current National Chairman of the party, is also flying the party’s flag as its candidate in the 2023 presidential election.
17. National Rescue Movement (NRM)
The National Rescue Movement (NRM) was announced as a recognised political party in Nigeria by INEC in December 2017 and was formally issued a Certificate of Registration by the electoral umpire on January 10, 2018.
The NRM’s sole purpose and plan, according to its manifesto, is to make the entire Nigerian people the focus and centre of governance and the central focus of every other human, social and communal activity in the nation.
Isaac Chidozie Udeh is the party’s current National Chairman.
18. Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) is a registered political party in Nigeria.
Dan Nwanyanwu, who is the current National Chairman of the party, is also flying the party’s flag as its candidate in the 2023 presidential election.