National Republican Convention (NRC) – Formation, Problem & Achievements
Formation of the National Republican Convention (NRC)
Like the SDP, the National Republican Convention (NRC) was formed and sponsored by the Federal Military Government. The first Chairman of the National Republican Convention party was Chief Tom Ikimi and he was succeeded by Dr. Hamed Kusamotu. Other prominent members of the NRC political party were Alhahi Umaru Shinkafl, Chief Evans Enwerem and Alhaji Bashir Tofa, the party’s presidential candidate in the 1993 presidential elections.
Objectives of the National Republican Convention (NRC)
The major aims and objectives of the party were not explicitly stated but it had “a little-bit-to-the right ideology”.
Achievements of the National Republican Convention (NRC)
The National Republican Convention (NRC) did fairly well in the general elections held from 1991 to 1993. It won the gubernatorial elections in nine states and controlled nine State Houses of Assembly.
Problems of the National Republican Convention (NRC)
As is usual with Nigerian political parties, the National Republican Convention failed to concede defeat in the presidential elections held in 1993 even when it was certain that Chief M.K.O. Abiola of the Social Democratic Party was poised to win the election. Rather, the leadership of the party (which lost the elections in Kano, the home state of its presidential flagbearer) began to double-speak and, by so doing, played into the hands of the military government which never intended to relinquish power.
The party therefore missed a golden opportunity to write its name in gold and assist in building a new political culture.
