The Third and Fourth Republics Political Parties: Development of Political Parties in Nigeria III

Social Democratic Party (SDP)Organizational Structure

The Social Democratic Party of Nigeria, popularly known as SDP was a political party created to encompass the ideals of a center-left political organization. It was one of the products of democracy project by former President Ibrahim Babangida to have two detribalized political parties, one a little to the left and one for the right.

However, it was seen as a moderate party with a flavor for young radical intellectuals and socialists. In its manifesto, it called for concerted efforts to improve the people’s welfare and fight for social justice.

The People’s Front of Nigeria, People’s Solidarity Party, and the Nigerian Labour Party were the three main inchoate groups that emerged to form the core constituency of the new SDP. The leadership of the party was mostly dominated by Northern Nigerians, with Babagana Kingibe elected party chairman in 1990 over his rival Mohammed Arzika.

M.K.O Abiola, SDP Presidential candidate

Objectives of SDP

To ensure equal opportunities for all Nigerians at all levels.

On the other hand, the electoral strength of the party lain in the Yoruba states and Imo and Anambra states. The party won 57% of the Senate seat in the 1992 National Assembly election, and won 53% of the seats of the House of Representatives in the same election.

Performance of SDP

In its primary elections, Yar’adua collated about 480,000 votes dominating his primary opponent, Olu Falae in the first round. Another financier, Abiola (a former member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons and chairman of the National Party of Nigeria) won the primary election in March 1993, after the first election was canceled. Abiola’s contested the national election which was later annulled, a seemingly coherent legacy of Nigeria’s swiveling and revolving door like political landscape.

National Republican Convention (NRC) Organizational structure

The National Republican Convention established by the government of General Ibrahim Babangida and ultimately disbanded by the incoming military regime of General Sani Abacha in 1993.

Bashir Othman Tofa NRC Presidential Candidate

Objectives of NRC

The party was organized to cater to the conservative-leaning of some Nigerians. It flourished in the core Northern states and eastern states of Abia and Enugu.

However, many felt there was little difference between the party and its competitor, the Social Democratic Party, another government-created party. Both parties were under the supervision of the military government and most of its presidential candidates favored a continuation of the Structural Adjustment Programme of the Babangida administration.

The party was largely an amalgamation of three major organizations, the Liberal convention, the Nigeria National Congress, and the federalists.

Performance of NRC

In its first presidential primary, the race was dominated by a few prominent Hausa- Fulani leaders Adamu Ciroma, a former minister and former governor of the central bank was its leading candidate; he collected about 270,000 votes, Umaru Shinkafi, came in second with bout 250,000.

Prof. Humphrey Nwosu National Electoral Commission (NEC) Chairman in 1993 Elections