Information on the friction and animosity between various political parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in Edo state, and particularly Ologbo village, and the names of the five political parties registered by the government in September 1996 [NGA26795.E]

Information on friction and animosity between the various political parties including the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Edo state, and particularly Ologbo village could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.

According to an August 1996 issue of the Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series, the government of President Abacha allowed political parties to register in preparation for a transition to civilian rule planned for October 1998. However the government also imposed "tough conditions and a tight deadline" (ibid., 12341A). "Sixteen out of 23 political associations" reportedly returned their completed forms to the National Electoral Committee of Nigeria (NECOM) (ibid.).

According to an 18 October 1996 Africa Confidential report, the chairman of NECOM announced that "only five of the 15 political associations had been approved to participate in elections" (ibid.). The five parties include the United Nigeria Congress (UNC), Committee for National Consensus (CNC), National Centre Party (NCP), Democratic Party (DP), and Grassroots Democratic Party (DP). This source adds that the five parties "are seen as close to government" (ibid.). For additional information on this topic, please consult the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. August 1996. Vol. 33, No. 7. "Nigeria: Sixteen Parties Register."

Africa Confidential [London]. 18 October 1996. Vol. 37, No. 21. "Nigeria II: Abacha's Agbada."

Additional Sources Consulted


Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. Monthly.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996.

DIRB Nigeria Country File. 1995 to present.

Europa year Book. 1996.

Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Daily Reports. 1996.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1996-97.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. Bimonthly.

Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 1995 to present.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1994-1996.

New African [London]. Monthly.

West Africa [London]. Weekly.

On-line search on NEXIS database.

Two oral sources consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.

Attachments


Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. August 1996. Vol. 33, No. 7. "Nigeria: Sixteen Parties Register," p. 12341A.

Africa Confidential [London]. 18 October 1996. Vol. 37, No. 21. "Nigeria II: Abacha's Agbada," pp. 3-4.