Politics & Government
Tue, July 29, 2025
[ Today @ 04:50 AM ]: Newsweek
[ Today @ 04:49 AM ]: legit
[ Today @ 04:29 AM ]: CNN
[ Today @ 04:09 AM ]: The Daily Star
[ Today @ 01:29 AM ]: moneycontrol.com
[ Today @ 01:29 AM ]: The Hans India
[ Today @ 12:28 AM ]: The West Australian
Mon, July 28, 2025
[ Yesterday Evening ]: CNN
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Deseret News
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Forbes
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Kyiv Independent
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Foreign Policy
[ Yesterday Evening ]: The Advocate
[ Yesterday Evening ]: nbcnews.com
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: CNN
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Fox News
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: rnz
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: legit
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: CNN
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: CNN
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Newsweek
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: CNN
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: CNN
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Phys.org
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: syracuse.com
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Cleveland.com
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Patch
[ Yesterday Morning ]: legit
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Oklahoma Voice
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Seeking Alpha
[ Yesterday Morning ]: The Courier-Journal
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Maine Morning Star
[ Yesterday Morning ]: The Advocate
Sun, July 27, 2025
[ Last Sunday ]: The Hans India
[ Last Sunday ]: KLAS articles
[ Last Sunday ]: CNN
[ Last Sunday ]: Associated Press
[ Last Sunday ]: London Evening Standard
[ Last Sunday ]: USA TODAY
[ Last Sunday ]: The Australian
[ Last Sunday ]: CNN
[ Last Sunday ]: Fox News
[ Last Sunday ]: CNN
[ Last Sunday ]: World Socialist Web Site
[ Last Sunday ]: Patch
[ Last Sunday ]: Cowboy State Daily
[ Last Sunday ]: Forbes
[ Last Sunday ]: BBC
[ Last Sunday ]: Forbes
[ Last Sunday ]: The Arizona Republic
[ Last Sunday ]: Fox News
[ Last Sunday ]: OPB
[ Last Sunday ]: CNN
[ Last Sunday ]: Toronto Star
[ Last Sunday ]: Fox News
[ Last Sunday ]: Le Monde.fr
[ Last Sunday ]: Free Malaysia Today
[ Last Sunday ]: Toronto Star
[ Last Sunday ]: Honolulu Star-Advertiser
[ Last Sunday ]: The Courier-Journal
[ Last Sunday ]: Le Monde.fr
[ Last Sunday ]: Fox News
[ Last Sunday ]: BBC
[ Last Sunday ]: BBC
[ Last Sunday ]: BBC
Sat, July 26, 2025
[ Last Saturday ]: Townhall
[ Last Saturday ]: the-sun.com
[ Last Saturday ]: news4sanantonio
[ Last Saturday ]: legit
[ Last Saturday ]: Yen.com.gh
[ Last Saturday ]: The New Indian Express
[ Last Saturday ]: Cowboy State Daily
[ Last Saturday ]: Fox News
[ Last Saturday ]: NJ.com
[ Last Saturday ]: CNN
[ Last Saturday ]: CNN
[ Last Saturday ]: CNN
[ Last Saturday ]: CNN
[ Last Saturday ]: CNN
[ Last Saturday ]: CNN
[ Last Saturday ]: Le Monde.fr
[ Last Saturday ]: MSNBC
[ Last Saturday ]: rnz
[ Last Saturday ]: The Hans India
Fri, July 25, 2025
[ Last Friday ]: CNN
[ Last Friday ]: nbcnews.com
[ Last Friday ]: CNN
[ Last Friday ]: Fox News
[ Last Friday ]: Patch
[ Last Friday ]: United Press International
[ Last Friday ]: CNN
[ Last Friday ]: World Politics Review Articles
[ Last Friday ]: Le Monde.fr
[ Last Friday ]: Toronto Star
[ Last Friday ]: Fox News
[ Last Friday ]: The Independent
[ Last Friday ]: Fox News
[ Last Friday ]: moneycontrol.com
[ Last Friday ]: rediff.com
Thu, July 24, 2025
[ Last Thursday ]: CNN
[ Last Thursday ]: AFP
[ Last Thursday ]: Fox News
[ Last Thursday ]: Le Monde.fr
[ Last Thursday ]: CBS News
[ Last Thursday ]: The Globe and Mail
[ Last Thursday ]: Fox 11 News
[ Last Thursday ]: CNN
[ Last Thursday ]: United Press International
[ Last Thursday ]: UPI
[ Last Thursday ]: Ghanaweb.com
[ Last Thursday ]: Al Jazeera English
[ Last Thursday ]: Time
[ Last Thursday ]: Associated Press
[ Last Thursday ]: Patch
[ Last Thursday ]: The New Indian Express
[ Last Thursday ]: Patch
[ Last Thursday ]: The Straits Times
[ Last Thursday ]: Ghanaweb.com
[ Last Thursday ]: thetimes.com
[ Last Thursday ]: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
[ Last Thursday ]: CNN
[ Last Thursday ]: The Independent US
[ Last Thursday ]: The Daily Star
[ Last Thursday ]: CNN
[ Last Thursday ]: CNN
Wed, July 23, 2025
[ Last Wednesday ]: The New Zealand Herald
[ Last Wednesday ]: ThePrint
[ Last Wednesday ]: The Citizen
[ Last Wednesday ]: Seeking Alpha
[ Last Wednesday ]: CNN
[ Last Wednesday ]: CNN
[ Last Wednesday ]: Fox News
[ Last Wednesday ]: NBC Washington
[ Last Wednesday ]: rnz
[ Last Wednesday ]: The Telegraph
[ Last Wednesday ]: The Independent US
[ Last Wednesday ]: OPB
[ Last Wednesday ]: PBS
[ Last Wednesday ]: CNN
[ Last Wednesday ]: The Daily Star
[ Last Wednesday ]: nbcnews.com
[ Last Wednesday ]: The Economist
[ Last Wednesday ]: USA TODAY
[ Last Wednesday ]: dpa international
[ Last Wednesday ]: legit
[ Last Wednesday ]: Patch
[ Last Wednesday ]: WSB-TV
[ Last Wednesday ]: Fox News
[ Last Wednesday ]: Futurism
[ Last Wednesday ]: Yen.com.gh
[ Last Wednesday ]: The Independent US
[ Last Wednesday ]: moneycontrol.com
[ Last Wednesday ]: The West Australian
[ Last Wednesday ]: CNN
[ Last Wednesday ]: CNN
[ Last Wednesday ]: The News International
[ Last Wednesday ]: The Citizen
[ Last Wednesday ]: Associated Press
[ Last Wednesday ]: Cowboy State Daily
[ Last Wednesday ]: BBC
Tue, July 22, 2025
[ Last Tuesday ]: London Evening Standard
[ Last Tuesday ]: The New Indian Express
[ Last Tuesday ]: Forbes
[ Last Tuesday ]: rnz
[ Last Tuesday ]: reuters.com
[ Last Tuesday ]: CNN
[ Last Tuesday ]: Patch
[ Last Tuesday ]: federalnewsnetwork.com
[ Last Tuesday ]: Tech.co
[ Last Tuesday ]: Kyiv Independent
[ Last Tuesday ]: The Economist
[ Last Tuesday ]: The New Indian Express
[ Last Tuesday ]: Forbes
[ Last Tuesday ]: WSB-TV
[ Last Tuesday ]: CNN
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: CNN
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: The Raw Story
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: CNN
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: Reuters
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: The Denver Post
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: USA TODAY
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: Ghanaweb.com
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: The Straits Times
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: Daily Press
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: KIRO-TV
"Politician knows this rule": Shehu Sani speaks on control of political parties
//politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. sani-speaks-on-control-of-political-parties.html
Published in Politics and Government on Monday, July 28th 2025 at 14:09 GMT by legit🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Former Kaduna Central Senator and APC chieftain, Shehu Sani, has explained how political parties in Nigeria are controlled ahead of the 2027general elections.
Shehu Sani Breaks Down the Grip of Political Parties on Nigeria's Power Structure
In a revealing exposition, former Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani has delved into the intricate history of how political parties have shaped and controlled the nation's governance since its inception. Drawing from decades of political evolution, Sani's analysis paints a vivid picture of Nigeria's political landscape, highlighting the dominance of key parties and their influence on power dynamics. His insights, shared during a recent public discourse, underscore the cyclical nature of party politics in Nigeria, from colonial-era formations to the modern multi-party democracy. This summary explores Sani's explanations in depth, tracing the trajectory of these parties and their enduring impact on the country's socio-political fabric.
Sani begins his narrative with the pre-independence era, emphasizing how political parties emerged as vehicles for anti-colonial agitation and regional interests. He points to the Northern People's Congress (NPC), founded in 1951 by Ahmadu Bello, as a cornerstone of northern Nigeria's political identity. The NPC, according to Sani, was not just a party but a symbol of northern unity, advocating for the preservation of traditional institutions and Islamic values amid the push for independence. It dominated the northern region, leveraging its vast population to secure significant influence in the federal structure. Sani explains that the NPC's control was rooted in its ability to mobilize the Hausa-Fulani aristocracy and peasantry, creating a formidable bloc that often clashed with southern interests.
In contrast, the Action Group (AG), led by Obafemi Awolowo, represented the Yoruba-dominated western region. Sani describes the AG as a progressive force, championing free education, healthcare, and economic development. Formed in 1951, the party focused on welfarism and federalism, pushing for a decentralized system where regions could thrive independently. However, Sani notes that the AG's regional focus often led to ethnic tensions, as it competed fiercely with other parties for national supremacy. The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), under Nnamdi Azikiwe's leadership, embodied the eastern Igbo interests and pan-African ideals. Established in 1944, the NCNC advocated for a unitary state and was instrumental in the nationalist movement. Sani highlights how these three major parties—NPC, AG, and NCNC—essentially partitioned Nigeria along ethnic lines, controlling the first republic from 1960 to 1966. Their rivalries culminated in the 1966 military coup, which Sani attributes to the parties' failure to foster national unity.
The military interregnum that followed, from 1966 to 1979, disrupted party politics, but Sani argues it did not eradicate the underlying structures. When civilian rule returned in the Second Republic (1979-1983), new parties emerged, often as reincarnations of the old ones. The National Party of Nigeria (NPN), a successor to the NPC, dominated under President Shehu Shagari, drawing support from the north and conservative elements. Sani explains that the NPN's control was facilitated by its broad coalition, including elements from other regions, but it was marred by allegations of corruption and electoral fraud. The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led by Awolowo, mirrored the AG's progressive agenda, while the Nigerian People's Party (NPP), under Azikiwe, continued the NCNC's legacy. Other parties like the Great Nigeria People's Party (GNPP) and People's Redemption Party (PRP) added to the mix, but Sani stresses that power remained concentrated in the hands of these major entities, leading to another military takeover in 1983.
Sani's analysis then shifts to the turbulent 1990s, a period marked by General Ibrahim Babangida's transition program and the annulment of the 1993 elections. He describes how Babangida engineered a two-party system with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC), ostensibly to reduce ethnic divisions. The SDP, which fielded Moshood Abiola in the infamous June 12 election, represented a broad progressive alliance, while the NRC leaned conservative. Sani laments the annulment as a missed opportunity for genuine democracy, arguing that it entrenched military control and delayed the evolution of party politics. Under General Sani Abacha's regime, parties were suppressed, but the groundwork for future formations was laid.
The return to civilian rule in 1999 marked a pivotal shift, with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) emerging as the dominant force. Sani portrays the PDP as a "big tent" party, absorbing politicians from various backgrounds and controlling the presidency for 16 years under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar'Adua, and Goodluck Jonathan. He explains that the PDP's grip on power was bolstered by its control over oil revenues, patronage networks, and electoral machinery. The party navigated Nigeria's complex federalism by balancing regional interests, but Sani criticizes it for fostering corruption, insecurity, and economic mismanagement. Rival parties like the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) and Action Congress (AC) challenged the PDP, but lacked the nationwide reach until mergers occurred.
A turning point came in 2015 with the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a merger of opposition parties including the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Sani, who was part of this coalition, details how the APC capitalized on public discontent with the PDP, promising change through anti-corruption drives, security reforms, and economic revival. Under President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC consolidated power, winning consecutive elections in 2015 and 2019. However, Sani warns that the APC has mirrored the PDP's flaws, with internal divisions, godfatherism, and a focus on power retention over governance. He points to the 2023 elections, where Bola Tinubu's victory extended the APC's hold, as evidence of how parties manipulate institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain control.
Throughout his explanation, Sani emphasizes recurring themes: ethnic and regional balkanization, the influence of moneybags and godfathers, and the weakness of ideological foundations. He argues that Nigerian parties are often vehicles for personal ambition rather than public service, leading to a cycle of underdevelopment. For instance, he cites how parties control state resources, appointing loyalists to key positions and stifling opposition through defections and intimidation. Sani also touches on the role of smaller parties like the Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), which gained traction in recent years, particularly with Peter Obi's 2023 presidential run under the LP. These, he says, represent a potential shift towards issue-based politics, but they struggle against the entrenched duopoly of PDP and APC.
In reflecting on the future, Sani calls for reforms to strengthen internal party democracy, reduce the cost of politics, and enforce stricter regulations on campaign financing. He believes that without these, Nigeria's political parties will continue to control the nation in a manner that prioritizes elite interests over the masses. His insights serve as a cautionary tale, reminding Nigerians that true democracy requires vigilant citizenship and a departure from the historical patterns of party dominance.
Sani's breakdown is not just historical; it's a critique of the present. By controlling narratives, resources, and institutions, political parties have effectively shaped Nigeria's destiny, often at the expense of inclusive growth. As the country grapples with economic challenges, insecurity, and calls for restructuring, understanding this control is crucial for any meaningful change. His words resonate as a call to action, urging a reevaluation of how power is wielded in Africa's most populous nation. (Word count: 1,048)
Read the Full legit Article at:
[ https://www.legit.ng/politics/1666478-shehu-sani-explains-how-political-parties-controlled-nigeria/ ]
Similar Politics and Government Publications
[ Last Wednesday ]: legit
[ Last Tuesday ]: The Economist
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: Reuters
[ Tue, Jul 22nd ]: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
[ Mon, Jul 21st ]: thetimes.com
[ Mon, Jul 21st ]: Telangana Today
[ Fri, Jul 18th ]: Free Malaysia Today
[ Wed, May 07th ]: legit
[ Fri, Feb 14th ]: MSN
[ Mon, Dec 16th 2024 ]: Dhaka Tribune
[ Fri, Dec 06th 2024 ]: The Daily Star
[ Sun, Dec 01st 2024 ]: Brian Stokes
