Development of Political Parties in Nigeria, PDP, ANPP, AD and AC for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 11
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Political Development and Governance
Previous Lesson: Development of Political Parties in Nigeria, SDP and NRC
Topic: DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA
Subject Matter: PARTIES IN NIGERIA (Cont.); People’s Democratic Party; (PDP); All Nigerian Peoples’ Party; (ANPP); Alliance for Democracy (AD); Action Congress (AC) and small political parties

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Nigerian Peoples’ Party (ANPP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), and Action Congress (AC).
• Describe the origin, structure, sources of finance, and objectives of PDP, ANPP, AD, and AC.
• Explain the electoral performance of these major political parties.
• State the characteristics and roles of small political parties in Nigeria.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the diverse roles of political parties in a democratic system.
• Participate constructively in discussions about party performance and inter-party relationships.

Psychomotor Domain

• Analyze the historical development and impact of various political parties in Nigeria.
• Present arguments regarding the performance of political parties in Nigeria.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Government textbook for SS 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing logos and key facts of PDP, ANPP, AD, and AC.
• Textbooks on Nigerian Government and Politics.
• Newspaper clippings or articles on political party activities and electoral history.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for students to understand the evolution and roles of key political parties that have shaped Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. It helps them grasp the dynamics of multi-party democracy, the factors influencing party success, and the significance of both major and minor political actors in governance and national development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have prior knowledge of the general meaning of political parties, their functions, and the history of political parties in earlier Nigerian republics.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA

People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was formed in 1998 by a broad coalition of politicians, including former military officers, academics, and businessmen, in the lead-up to Nigeria’s return to civilian rule. It emerged as a dominant force in Nigerian politics.

Key aspects of PDP:

1. Origin: Formed in 1998, drawing members from various political groups and tendencies.
2. Structure: Operates on a federal structure with national, state, local government, and ward levels. It has a National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BOT).
3. Sources of Finance: Primarily from membership dues, donations from individuals and corporate bodies, fundraising activities, and public office holders.
4. Objectives: To promote national unity, foster democracy, ensure economic growth and development, eradicate poverty, and uphold the rule of law.
5. Electoral Performance: Dominated Nigerian politics from 1999 to 2015, winning presidential elections consecutively for four terms. It also controlled a majority of states and legislative seats during this period.

All Nigerian Peoples’ Party (ANPP)

The All Nigerian Peoples’ Party (ANPP) was also formed in 1998, emerging from a collection of political associations. It served as a major opposition party during the early years of the Fourth Republic.

Key aspects of ANPP:

1. Origin: Formed in 1998 from a merger of several political groups, positioning itself as a conservative alternative.
2. Structure: Similar federal structure to other major parties, with national, state, local government, and ward executives.
3. Sources of Finance: Membership fees, donations, and fundraising events.
4. Objectives: To promote good governance, ensure social justice, foster economic prosperity, and provide a credible opposition.
5. Electoral Performance: Served as the main opposition party to the PDP for many years, winning gubernatorial elections in some northern states and having a significant presence in the National Assembly. It later merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

Alliance for Democracy (AD)

The Alliance for Democracy (AD) was formed in 1998, primarily by politicians from the South-West geopolitical zone, many of whom were associated with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and the struggle for democracy.

Key aspects of AD:

1. Origin: Formed in 1998, largely rooted in the South-West and drawing support from the Yoruba ethnic group and progressive movements.
2. Structure: Maintained a federal structure, though its influence was concentrated regionally.
3. Sources of Finance: Membership dues, contributions from political office holders, and donations from supporters, particularly within its regional base.
4. Objectives: To promote true federalism, regional autonomy, social welfare, and good governance, often advocating for a restructured Nigeria.
5. Electoral Performance: Won all six gubernatorial seats in the South-West in 1999. Its influence waned after the 2003 elections, and many of its members later formed the Action Congress.

Action Congress (AC)

The Action Congress (AC) was formed in 2006, largely as a successor to the Alliance for Democracy, incorporating members from other political leanings.

Key aspects of AC:

1. Origin: Formed in 2006, primarily from a faction of the Alliance for Democracy and other progressive politicians seeking a stronger platform.
2. Structure: Operates with a national executive and state chapters, aiming for a broader national appeal than AD.
3. Sources of Finance: Membership contributions, donations, and fundraising activities.
4. Objectives: To promote good governance, rule of law, economic development, and social justice, with a focus on progressive policies.
5. Electoral Performance: Gained significant traction, particularly in the South-West, winning governorships and legislative seats. It later transformed into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and was a key component in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

Small Political Parties

Beyond the major parties, Nigeria has seen the emergence and existence of numerous smaller political parties. These parties play a distinct role in the political system.

Characteristics and roles of small political parties:

1. Limited Reach: Often have a limited national spread, with support concentrated in specific regions, states, or local government areas.
2. Niche Objectives: May focus on specific issues, ideologies, or interest groups that are not fully addressed by larger parties.
3. Less Funding: Typically have fewer financial resources compared to major parties, limiting their campaign capabilities.
4. Alternative Voices: Provide platforms for alternative viewpoints and serve as pressure groups on government policies.
5. Platform for New Ideas: Can introduce new policy ideas or political debates that larger parties might later adopt.
6. Coalition Partners: Sometimes form alliances or coalitions with major parties, especially during elections, to enhance their influence.

Relationship Between Political Parties

Political parties in Nigeria interact in various ways, shaping the political landscape.

Common relationships include:

1. Competition: Parties primarily compete for power, votes, and control of government at all levels.
2. Opposition: Parties not in power form the opposition, scrutinizing government actions and offering alternative policies.
3. Cooperation/Alliances: Parties may cooperate on specific issues or form alliances (e.g., pre-election coalitions, post-election agreements) to achieve common goals or defeat a dominant opponent.
4. Defections: Members often move between parties due to ideological differences, political calculations, or personal ambitions.
5. Mergers: Smaller parties or factions may merge to form larger, more formidable political entities, as seen with the formation of APC.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Debate, Question and Answer, Group Work, Lecture Method.

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and reviews the previous lesson on the general concept and functions of political parties. The teacher then introduces the topic by asking students to name some political parties they know in Nigeria today.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the greeting, recall previous knowledge, and name some political parties.

Learning Point: Activating prior knowledge

Step 2: People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Discussing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the origin, structure, sources of finance, objectives, and electoral performance of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), using charts and examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions, and contribute to the discussion, noting key facts about PDP.

Learning Point: PDP characteristics and performance

Step 3: All Nigerian Peoples’ Party (ANPP)

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Comparing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the origin, structure, sources of finance, objectives, and electoral performance of the All Nigerian Peoples’ Party (ANPP), highlighting its role as a major opposition party.

Pupils’ Activity: Students pay attention, compare ANPP with PDP, and note down important points.

Learning Point: ANPP characteristics and role

Step 4: Alliance for Democracy (AD)

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Illustrating

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the origin, structure, sources of finance, objectives, and electoral performance of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), emphasizing its regional base and contributions.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, identify AD’s specific characteristics, and ask clarifying questions.

Learning Point: AD’s regional influence

Step 5: Action Congress (AC)

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explaining/Tracing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the origin, structure, sources of finance, objectives, and electoral performance of the Action Congress (AC), explaining its evolution from AD and its subsequent growth.

Pupils’ Activity: Students follow the explanation, noting AC’s development and impact.

Learning Point: AC’s formation and growth

Step 6: Small Political Parties and Party Relationships

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Facilitating/Explaining

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the characteristics and roles of small political parties. The teacher then explains the various relationships that exist between political parties in Nigeria, such as competition, alliances, and mergers.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, ask questions about small parties, and discuss inter-party relationships.

Learning Point: Small parties and inter-party dynamics

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Mention two objectives of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
2. Describe the electoral performance of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999.
3. State two characteristics of small political parties in Nigeria.
4. Explain one way political parties relate to each other.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessing party knowledge

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes into their notebooks, specifically on the characteristics and performance of the discussed parties.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarizing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the key points about the development of PDP, ANPP, AD, AC, and small parties, reinforcing their roles in Nigeria’s democracy.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s main ideas.

Learning Point: Consolidating party development

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Group Work/Further Reading

Instruction: In groups, research and prepare a short presentation (5 minutes) on the current state and electoral performance of any two of the discussed parties (PDP, ANPP, AD, AC) or their successor parties in recent elections. Focus on their current structure, sources of finance, and objectives.

1. Form groups of 4-5 students.
2. Choose two political parties from the lesson or their successor parties (e.g., APC, LP).
3. Research their current structure, sources of finance, objectives, and recent electoral performance.
4. Prepare a brief presentation to share with the class next week.
5. Be ready to debate on the performance of the current ruling party based on your findings.

Lesson Keywords

• PDP – People’s Democratic Party, a major political party in Nigeria.
• ANPP – All Nigerian Peoples’ Party, a former major opposition party.
• AD – Alliance for Democracy, a party with strong regional roots in the South-West.
• AC – Action Congress, a party that evolved from AD and later became ACN.
• Electoral Performance – The success or failure of a political party in winning elections.
• Small Political Parties – Parties with limited national reach and resources, often focusing on niche issues.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, provide simplified charts and pre-highlighted texts focusing on the main facts for each party. Encourage them to participate in group discussions. For faster learners, challenge them to research the impact of party defections on party stability or to analyze the ideological differences between the parties discussed and the current major parties.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search on YouTube for:

• “History of Political Parties in Nigeria SS3”
• “PDP ANPP AD AC Nigeria politics”
• “Evolution of Nigerian Political Parties”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have updated information on the political parties, especially their current status or transformations (e.g., ANPP and AC’s merger into APC). Use visual aids like charts of party logos and key facts to make the lesson engaging. Encourage active student participation through questions and discussions, especially when analyzing electoral performance. During Step 6, facilitate a brief debate or discussion on the performance of the ruling party to engage students critically. Students should copy the Board Summary notes during Step 8. Check for understanding throughout the lesson by asking targeted questions and addressing misconceptions promptly. For weaker learners, simplify concepts and provide clear examples; for faster learners, encourage deeper research and critical analysis of political dynamics.