As part of the phased transition to civilian rule in 1992, President Babangida partially lifted the six-year ban on partisan political activity. Thirteen associations were registered with the National Electoral Commissions (NEC) on 19 July 1989. The government was to choose two parties among those registered (Moghalu).

Only four of those parties were considered as possible choices: the People's Solidarity Party (PSP), the People's Front of Nigeria (PFN), the Liberal Convention Party (LCP) and the Nigerian National Congress (NNC) (Moghalu).

The PSP basically represented the members of the old Progressive Parties Alliance of the second republic (1979-1983). The PFN was believed to be "the brain child" of Obasanjo's government (1976-1979) (Moghalu). Both parties represent the Christians from the south and members of ethnic and religious minorities from the north (Obadina).

The LCP claimed to be dominated by new politicians, although its membership includes millionaire financiers, some of which had strong links with parties of the second republic (Moghalu). The NNC was believed to be a modern version or the National Party of Nigeria, which controlled the government under the second republic. Both parties represent the Moslem conservatives from the north and the new business class (Obadina).

On 19 September 1989, the National Electoral Commission recommended six parties: the PSP, the PFN, the LC, the NLP (Nigerian Labour Party) and the RPN (Republican Party of Nigeria) ("Nigerian President"). Nevertheless, all 13 parties were rejected by the government on 8 October 1989 ("Third Republic"). Instead, two new parties were created: the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC).
ATTACHED DOCUMENTS:

Kingsley Moghalu, "We Are Getting There", Africa Events, September 1989.

Tunde Obadina, "Nigerian Military Faces Tough Decision on Political Parties", Reuters, 5 October 1989.

"Nigerian President Gets Report on Political Parties", Reuters, 26 September 1989.

"Third Republic Politics", West Africa, 23-29 October 1989.

"Nigerian Politicians Start Re-aligning Forces", Xinhua General Overseas News Service, 10 October 1989.