Democratic Alternative (Nigeria)
Encyclopedia
Democratic Alternative is a Nigerian
opposition political party.
On June 3 and 4, 1994, about 200 Nigerians critical of the military politicians and collaborators met in Benin City
to examine the political impasse and decide on a political plan for the country and the peoples. The conference concluded with the adoption of the Constitution and Manifesto, The Liberation Charter to inaugurate the Democratic Alternative (DA). The organisation thereby emerged as a political party at the time Sani Abacha
was implementing a policy that made it illegal for Nigerians to associate in political parties. The participants in the conference defied the dictatorship and launched what has become the oldest existing political party in Nigeria.
A National Executive Council with Alao Aka-Bashorun and Chima Ubani as President and Secretary-General, respectively, were elected to run the affairs of the party. As demanded by the political situation, the activities of the party from its inception until the demise of direct military dictatorship in the country were focussed on building the party at the national, state and local government levels; engaging in anti-dictatorship protest activities either alone or in association with other anti-dictatorship organisations to enforce the end of anti-democratic and military rule in Nigeria; and operating political education programmes for workers and the peasants in towns, villages and cities across the country.
The party school, Nigerian Peoples’ Institute for Democracy (NIPID) was established in 2003 to carry out formal programmes of political education among members and in the general population. The military dictatorship collapsed to constitutional rule on May 29, 1999. The party was denied free participation in the elections of 1999, but continued with its educational programmes, territorial expansion and popular activities against the right wing parties.
At its Convention in Ilorin
on January 11, 2003, the party decided to show its programme to the peoples of Nigeria by participating in the 2003 elections following legal victory along with other parties that led to the formal registration of the DA. By fielding candidates at the presidential, some governorship and legislative elections, the party was successful in showcasing its Manifesto and programme in government to the Nigerian peoples.
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
opposition political party.
On June 3 and 4, 1994, about 200 Nigerians critical of the military politicians and collaborators met in Benin City
Benin City
Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos...
to examine the political impasse and decide on a political plan for the country and the peoples. The conference concluded with the adoption of the Constitution and Manifesto, The Liberation Charter to inaugurate the Democratic Alternative (DA). The organisation thereby emerged as a political party at the time Sani Abacha
Sani Abacha
General Sani Abacha was a Nigerian military leader and politician. A Kanuri from Borno by tribe, he was born and brought up in Kano, Nigeria. He was the de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998....
was implementing a policy that made it illegal for Nigerians to associate in political parties. The participants in the conference defied the dictatorship and launched what has become the oldest existing political party in Nigeria.
A National Executive Council with Alao Aka-Bashorun and Chima Ubani as President and Secretary-General, respectively, were elected to run the affairs of the party. As demanded by the political situation, the activities of the party from its inception until the demise of direct military dictatorship in the country were focussed on building the party at the national, state and local government levels; engaging in anti-dictatorship protest activities either alone or in association with other anti-dictatorship organisations to enforce the end of anti-democratic and military rule in Nigeria; and operating political education programmes for workers and the peasants in towns, villages and cities across the country.
The party school, Nigerian Peoples’ Institute for Democracy (NIPID) was established in 2003 to carry out formal programmes of political education among members and in the general population. The military dictatorship collapsed to constitutional rule on May 29, 1999. The party was denied free participation in the elections of 1999, but continued with its educational programmes, territorial expansion and popular activities against the right wing parties.
At its Convention in Ilorin
Ilorin
Ilorin is one of the largest cities in Nigeria and is the capital of Kwara State. As of 2007 it had a population of 847,582.-History:Ilorin was founded by the Yoruba, one of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria, in 1450...
on January 11, 2003, the party decided to show its programme to the peoples of Nigeria by participating in the 2003 elections following legal victory along with other parties that led to the formal registration of the DA. By fielding candidates at the presidential, some governorship and legislative elections, the party was successful in showcasing its Manifesto and programme in government to the Nigerian peoples.