This article explores the list of political parties in Nigeria.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is home to numerous political parties. This is because the constitution allows for a multi-party system. The two most dominant parties in Nigeria are the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There are also minor parties, the most popular of which include the Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Young Progressives Party (YPP). Other recognised parties include African Democratic Congress (ADC), People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Major Political Parties in Nigeria
All Progressives Congress (APC)
All Progressives Congress was established on February 6, 2013. It is importantly a merger of five political blocs in Nigeria: ANPP (All Nigeria Peoples Party), CPC (Congress for Progressive Change), a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance [APGA], a faction of the People’s Democratic Party called [n-PDP], and ACN (Action Congress of Nigeria].
The APC has been the most dominant political party in Nigeria, emerging victorious in presidential elections thrice. Most APC’s support lies in Yoruba and Hausa-speaking regions of Nigeria (North and South Western Nigeria), although they have recently controlled states in other parts of the country.
People’s Democratic Party
The PDP was among the parties that were formed at the cusp of Nigeria’s military rule coming to an end in 1999. The party emerged victorious in every presidential election since 1999, ending in 2011. It was the most dominant political party in Nigeria for more than a decade before being defeated by the APC in 2015.
The slogan of the PDP is “Power to the people”.
Labour Party
Launched in 2002, the Labour Party was dormant for many years until 2023 when it propelled itself as one of Nigeria’s most popular political parties in Nigeria. The party’s resurgence is linked to Peter Obi’s membership, who switched allegiance from PDP to clinch the party’s presidential candidates. Mr Obi’s support base helped the party increase its membership base and visibility.
It was formerly known as the Party for Social Democracy (PSD) before switching to its current name in 2003.
Social Democratic Party
The Social Democratic Party was launched in 1989 during the junta of General Ibrahim Babangida. It was established together with the National Republican Convention as one of Babangida’s moves to create two detribalised parties. The party’s inaugural leader was Babagana Kingibe, with notable figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Sule Lamiido, Umaru Yar’adua, Bola Tinubu, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, joining during its period of establishment.
Political Parties Formed in 1960-1966
In the first republic of Nigeria, within the space of 1960-1966 the following political parties were formed;
- Action Group (AG)
- Borno Youth Movement (BYM)
- Convention People’s Party of Nigeria and the Cameroons
- Democratic Party of Nigeria and Cameroon (DPNC)
- Dynamic Party (DP)
- Igala Union (IU)
- Igbira Tribal Union (ITU)
- Kano People’s Party (KPP)
- Lagos State United Front (LSUF)
- Mabolaje Grand Alliance (MGA)
- Midwest Democratic Front (MDF)
- National Independence Party (NIP)
- National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons/National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC)
- Niger Delta Congress (NDC)
- Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP)
- Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU)
- Northern People’s Congress (NPC)
- Northern Progressive Front (NPF)
- Republican Party (RP)
- United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC)
- United National Independence Party (UNIP)
- Zamfara Commoners Party (ZCP)
Political Parties Formed in 1979-1983
Only 7 political parties were added to the existing ones. see the list of those parties below;
- Greater Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP)
- National Party of Nigeria (NPN)
- Nigeria Advance Party (NAP)
- Nigerian People’s Party (NPP)
- People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
- Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)
- Movement of the People Party (MPP)
Political Parties Formed in 1996-1998
this year ahh, I will say it tried, see the numbers of political parties that were found;
- National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)
- Committee for National Consensus (CNC)
- Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN)
- Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM)
- National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN)
- United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP)
- Justice Party (JP)
- National Republican Convention (NRC)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
List of Registered Political Parties in Nigeria as of 2025
- Accord (A)
- Action Alliance (AA)
- African Action Congress (AAC)
- African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- Action Democratic Party (ADP)
- All Progressives Congress (APC)
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
- Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
- Action Peoples Party (APP)
- Boot Party (BP)
- Labour Party (LP)
- National Rescue Movement (NRM)
- New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
- Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
- Social Democratic Party (SDP)
- Young Progressive Party (YPP)
- Youth Party (YP)
- Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)