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

 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- Organizational Structure

The People Democratic Party (PDP) is a major contemporary political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the Center-right of the political spectrum. It won every presidential election between 1999 and 2011 and was until the v2015 elections, the governing party in the Fourth Republic although in some cases, amid a few controversial electoral circumstances.

 Objectives

To ensure the liberty of Nigerians as well as eradicate poverty.

All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)Organizational Structure

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) was under the leadership of Late Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, its candidate in presidential elections of 19 April 2003, current president of Nigeria Mahammadu Buhari won 32.2% of the vote. Buhari was again the ANPP candidate in 2007 presidential election, taking second place and about 18% of the vote according to official results.

Performance of ANPP

The ANPP is the household in the extreme North of Nigeria, primarily due to its mass appeal. It is the strongest opposition party, controlling seven of the nation’s thirty-six states. The party’s biggest achievement in 2003 election was its gubernatorial victory in Kano State where it defeated the ruling People’s Democratic Party to take control of one of the country’s most populous states.

Congress For Progressive Change (CPC) Organizational Structure

The Congress for Progress Change originated in The Buhari Organization (TBO) formed in 2006 by General Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler of Nigeria, and his associates. The first National Chairman was Kano Central senator Rufai Hanga. The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) nominated Buhari as its 2007 presidential candidate.

OBJECTIVES

The agenda of the CPC lies towards the left-wing of the political spectrum, supporting individual liberty, rights and social welfare for the less privileged.

Performance of CPC

The party advocates political liberalism, as originated by the American philosopher, John Rawls. The party’s manifesto insists on the amendment of the Nigerian constitution with the view of devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench federalism and the federal spirit.

The party constitution is silent on the issue of zoning, a common practice in Nigeria under which key positions are allocated in rotation to representatives from each region of the country.

National Symbols and their meaning 2

 The National Anthem

The National Anthem was introduced in 1960 when Nigeria became independent. Before 1960, the British National Anthem was used at festivals and official ceremonies. The anthem prayed for the safety and protection of the Queen of Great Britain. By 1977, it was considered an anthem written by the Britain person who did not quite understand the aims and aspiration of Nigerians was no longer suitable. Therefore, a Nigerian named Mr. Ben Odiaze composed a new national anthem of two stanzas. It replaced the old one ‘’Nigeria we hail thee’’ that was composed by Mrs. Flora Lugard (Nee Shaw). The old national anthem has three stanzas.

The National pledge

The National Pledge has been revised as a result of experiences from the civic war where lives and properties were lost and yet the unity of the country was preserved. It therefore became necessary to include some virtues and statements in the national pledge to remind Nigerians of the importance of keeping the country united.

National Identity Card

The national identity card is an identification for the citizens of Nigeria. It contains the following

•Name of holders: Surname, first and middle name.

•Date of birth:

•Occupation:

•Applicant’s Residence: i.e Address, Town/village, Local Government, and State:

•Blood group:

Free and Fair Elections

 Meaning of Free and Fair Election

Elections are a central feature of democracy. For elections to express the will of the electorate, they must be free and fair.

Free in the context of the election mean that all those entitled to vote have the right to be registered and vote and must be free to make their choice.  In Nigeria, every citizen over the age of 18 is entitled to vote.

An election is considered ‘’free’’ when you can decide whether or not to vote freely for the candidate or party of your choice without fear or intimidation.

Fair in the context of an election means that all registered political parties have an equal opportunity to contest the election, campaign for voter support and hold meetings and rallies.

This gives them a fair chance to convince voters to vote for them.

A fair election is also one in which all voters have an equal opportunity to register, where all votes are counted, and where the announced results reflect the actual vote total.

Importance of Free and Free Election in Nigeria.

There is the need for free and fair elections in Nigeria. This is because of the following reasons:

I. Election brings peace and harmony in society.

ii. It brings the right candidate to the office.

iii. It helps in the political and economic development of the country.

iv. It brings about social stability.

The Electorate

Procedure for Voting: Importance of Election

 Procedure for voting

1.Registration of all eligible voters before the actual election and revise those registered.

2. Fixing of the date of the election.

3. Appointment and training of ad-hoc staff to be used by the electoral commission.

4. Posting of electoral officers to different locations where they will serve.

5. Pasting of posters of electoral commission at the various places for enlightenment purposes.

6.Distribution of electoral materials to various centers.

7. The presiding officers open the polling booth at a stipulated time on the day of election.

8. He open the empty ballot box, shows it to the voters, candidates or party agents present.

9. He seals the box  in such a way that unauthorized persons are prevented from opening it.

10.He enlightens the voters on the voting process.

11. He accredits eligible voters who present themselves for voting.

12. The accredited voters can now  cast their vote.

13. The final step is the counting of votes and declaration of election results by returning officer.