Evolution of Nigerian Political Parties

The emergence of political parties in Nigeria is treated historically through a periodisation of the colonialColonial era (1922–1959), the First RepublicFirst Republic (1960–1966), the Second RepublicSecond Republic (1979–1984), the Aborted Third RepublicAborted Third Republic (1986–1991) and the Fourth RepublicFourth Republic (1999–2024). By tracing the roots of the emergence of the parties in Nigeria, the chapter carefully examines the nature, characteristics, ideologyIdeology, distinguishing features and activities of the parties and clearly shows how the earlier parties differ from the parties of the Fourth RepublicFourth Republic and why the current parties deserve much attention because of their peculiarities that distinguish them from the earlier ones.