Nigerian People's Party
Encyclopedia
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.
In states like Imo State
, leaders such as the governor, Sam Mbakwe
were elected with landslide victories (over 80%) in the Imo State
Legislative, Gubernatorial and Presidential Elections in Nigeria in 1979. In Imo State
, the Nigerian Peoples Party Campaign Director, Party Secretary and principal architect in electing Sam Mbakwe
was Dr. Sebastian Okechukwu Mezu
.
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.
'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.
Political Parties
Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy is a book by sociologist Robert Michels, published in 1911 , and first introducing the concept of iron law of oligarchy...
that contested elections in the Nigerian Second Republic
Nigerian Second Republic
The Second Republic was the republican government of Nigeria between 1979 and 1983 governed by the second republican constitution.- Founding :...
. The party was made up of three major groups: the Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
Progressives, Club 19, and the Nigerian Council of Understanding.
Though the party was formed to create a national outlook, the exit of Waziri Ibrahim
Waziri Ibrahim
Alhadji Waziri Ibrahim was a wealthy Kanuri businessman from Borno State, Nigeria who became a prominent politician and party leader during the Nigerian Second Republic. He was one of the original founders and financiers of the Nigerian People's Party but later left the party to form the Greater...
, 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
Plateau State
Plateau State is the twelfth largest state of Nigeria, and is roughly located in the center of the country. It is geographically unique in Nigeria because its boundaries totally surround the Jos Plateau, having the Jos Plateau totally in its central and northern part...
, Rivers State
Rivers State
Rivers State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. Its capital is Port Harcourt. It is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states...
and Lagos. The party tried to promote social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
and social change
Social change
Social change refers to an alteration in the social order of a society. It may refer to the notion of social progress or sociocultural evolution, the philosophical idea that society moves forward by dialectical or evolutionary means. It may refer to a paradigmatic change in the socio-economic...
as vital ingredients of its mission. In 1979, the party chose Nnamdi Azikiwe as its presidential candidate.
In states like Imo State
Imo State
Imo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies to the south of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city.-History:Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been...
, leaders such as the governor, Sam Mbakwe
Sam Mbakwe
Samuel "Sam" Onunaka Mbakwe was an Igbo politician and governor of Imo State, southern Nigeria from October 1, 1979 until December 31, 1983....
were elected with landslide victories (over 80%) in the Imo State
Imo State
Imo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies to the south of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city.-History:Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been...
Legislative, Gubernatorial and Presidential Elections in Nigeria in 1979. In Imo State
Imo State
Imo State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria and lies to the south of Nigeria with Owerri as its capital and largest city.-History:Imo State came into existence in 1976 along with other new states created under the leadership of the late military ruler of Nigeria, Murtala Muhammad, having been...
, the Nigerian Peoples Party Campaign Director, Party Secretary and principal architect in electing Sam Mbakwe
Sam Mbakwe
Samuel "Sam" Onunaka Mbakwe was an Igbo politician and governor of Imo State, southern Nigeria from October 1, 1979 until December 31, 1983....
was Dr. Sebastian Okechukwu Mezu
Sebastian Okechukwu Mezu
- Background :Dr. Sebastian Okechukwu Mezu was born on April 30, 1941 in Ezeogba, Emekuku, Owerri, Imo State. He received a B.A. in French with minors in German and Philosophy from Georgetown University. He obtained an LL.B. in 1966 from La Salle Extension University, Chicago, and an M.A...
.
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.
Second Republic
During the Second Republic, the National Party of NigeriaNational Party of Nigeria
The National Party of Nigeria was the dominant political party in Nigeria during the Second Republic .-Formation:The party's beginning could be traced to private and sometimes secret meetings among key Northern Nigerian leaders after the proscription of political parties in 1966 by the military...
'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
Ishaya Audu
Ishaya Sha'aibu Audu was a Nigerian doctor, professor, and politician. A Hausa Christian, he served as Minister of External Affairs from 1979 to 1983 under Shehu Shagari....
, 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.