Nigeria’s Political Resurrection: How the 1978 Lifting of the Ban on Political Parties Set the Stage for the Second Republic
On September 21, 1978, Nigeria took a decisive turn in its political history. Under the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, the ban on political parties—imposed after the chaotic coup of January 15, 1966—was officially lifted. This singular move paved the way for the re-establishment of party politics, a new constitution, and laid the foundation for Nigeria’s Second Republic, which commenced in 1979.
Context: The Ban and Its Impact
After Nigeria’s First Republic fell in 1966 through a series of military coups, the country was subjected to military rule for over a decade. Political parties were banned, democratic institutions suspended, and the public’s ability to participate in free elections was curtailed. The country faced grave instability, ethnic tensions, and governance by decree. The ban on political activities was part of a broader attempt by successive military governments to maintain control, often at the expense of civil liberties and popular participation.
The Shift: September 1978
A Constituent Assembly, elected in 1977, had the task of drafting a new constitution. This constitution was published on September 21, 1978.
On the same day, the Obasanjo regime announced the lifting of the ban on political parties and political activity.
Within days, political associations and parties began to form. Although there were more than fifty associations initially, only five political parties were officially registered by December 1978. These included:
National Party of Nigeria (NPN)
Nigerian People’s Party (NPP)
Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)
Great Nigeria People's Party (GNPP)
People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
Effects & Significance
Return to Civilian Rule
The lifting of the ban was not merely symbolic. It was a concrete, landmark order that ushered in the return to civilian rule. In 1979, national elections were held. Shehu Shagari of the NPN won the presidency, formally marking the beginning of the Second Republic.
New Constitution & Governance Structure
The 1978 constitution introduced a presidential system of government (unlike the parliamentary system of Nigeria’s First Republic), and was intended to provide checks and balances, federal representation, and clearer delineation of powers.
Challenges of Form and Substance
While the restoration of political parties and civil rule was celebrated, there were immediate and lingering concerns:
Many of the newly registered parties reflected existing regional, ethnic, or personality-based divisions instead of being broad-based national platforms.
Questions were raised about how free, fair, and credible upcoming elections would be, especially given decades of military interference and distrust.
Expectations were high among the populace for stability, better governance, and economic improvements. Those expectations would later become points of contention during the Second Republic.
Lessons & Reflections for Today
Transitions take structure: Obasanjo’s transition included a carefully scheduled programme—constitution drafting, legal frameworks, setting up the electoral commission (FEDECO), and legal registration of parties.
Legal and institutional groundwork matters: Without FEDECO and constitutional clarity, the process could easily have collapsed under political manipulation.
Democratization is fragile: Even after this hopeful moment, Nigeria’s Second Republic lasted less than five years before military rule returned in 1983. The seeds of failure included electoral irregularities, corruption, and economic pressures.
The decision to lift the ban on political activity on September 21, 1978 marked a watershed in Nigerian history. It symbolized a return of hope, civil participation, and the promise of democracy after years of military rule. While the ensuing years would reveal the fragility of democratic institutions, that moment remains a powerful reminder: change, even after deep political suppression, is possible—and often starts with courageous, structured transitions.
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