Nigeria Peoples Party

The Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) was one of the major political parties that contested elections in the Nigerian Second Republic. The party was made up of three major groups: the Lagos Progressives, Club 19, and the Nigerian Council of Understanding.

Though the party was formed to create a national outlook, the exit of Waziri Ibrahim, led to an erosion of politics without borders. The party later became to be seen as an eastern Nigerian party, though it hard scores of support in Plateau State, Rivers State and Lagos. The party tried to promote social justice and social change as vital ingredients of its mission. In 1979, the party chose Nnamdi Azikiwe as its presidential candidate.

Before the 1979 elections, the party took some political hits, about 254 of its candidates were disqualified from contesting electoral seats, the second most out of the five major parties. Nevertheless, the party won about 17% of the House of Representative seats and three gubernatorial elections.

History

Preparation for democracy

The party like many of its competitors was launched in September, 1978. Initially, it had some hiccups, the party lost a leader, Mohammed Ahmed, Sarkin Fada Isa, a few days after the launch, it also battled with an aforementioned crisis with the contentious presidential candidature of its chairman, Waziri Ibrahim and the entry of Nnamdi Azikiwe to the party. The twin situation led to a power struggle between Azikiwe loyalists, led by Adeniran Ogunsanya and the Waziri Ibrahim loyalists.

The party had an heavy dose of ex NCNC members, a few NEPU members and NPC dissidents.

The party's manifesto promised to promote legislation to guarantee a mix economic system. It also pledged to reduce the dependence on oil and to increase attention given to industry, agriculture and commerce. Among its other objectives were the introduction of a price pegging mechanism in order to reduce the level of inflation. The modernization of agriculture, an equitable method of revenue allocation that will be enacted through a fiscal commission and working for the creation of more states, etc. The party also made plans to repeal stifling press regulations.

In Demceber 1978, the You Chop I Chop party led by Akukalia Asika merged with the NPP.

The party's presidential candidate lost the 1979 election.

Second Republic

During the Second Republic, the National Party of Nigeria's (NPN) weak hold on the House of Assembly led to an alliance between the NPP and the NPN. The NPP submitted a few candidates for ministerial appointments to consummate the alliance. NPP personalities such as Ishaya Audu, a vice presidential candidate of the party, were selected as ministers. However, the accord hit the rocks in 1981, and Adeniran Ogunsanya, the chairman of the party, asked all ministers to resign; many did not heed his call and some transferred to the NPN.

State personalities and candidates, 1978-1979

• Waziri Ibrahim-protem chairman and presidential candidate, left the party late November, 1978 and formed the Great Nigeria Peoples Party
• Olu Akinfosile, 1979 chair
• Adeniran Ogunsanya, 1979-1983 chair, former Lagos state gubernatorial candidate
• Omo Omoruyi- protem secretary, 1978 later publicity secretary
• Paul Unongo, party secretary-general. 1979
• Matthew Mbu, national vice-chair
• Raphael Okafor deputy national chair
• Hannatu Chollm deputy national chair
• Jim Nwobodo, Anambra state governor
• Vincent Iketuonye, Anambra state chairman
• Ahmed Babale, Bauchi state gubernatorial candidate
• Ali Muhammed, Bauchi state chairman
• Charles Idehen, Edo state gubernatorial candidate
• Paul Belabor. Benue state gubernatorial candidate
• Ntieyong Akpan, Cross River state gubernatorial candidate
• A.P. Sawa, Adamawa state gubernatorial candidate
• Sam Mbakwe, Imo state governor, 1979-1983
• Rabiu Adamu Muri, Kano state gubernatorial candidate
• Tunde Edu, Lagos state chairman
• Solomon Lar, Plateau state governor, 1979-1983.
• B.O.B. Longe, Ondo state gubernatorial candidate
• Areoye Oyebola, Oyo state gubernatorial candidate
• D.B. Zang, Plateau state chairman
• Nwobidike Nwanodi, Rivers state gubernatorial candidate
• Emmanuel Aguma, Rivers state chairman

References

• Ergun Ozbudun, Myron Weiner; Competitive Elections in Developing Countries
• Michael Afolabi. Nigerian in Transition, An annotated bibliography of party politics, elections and the return to civil rule