The MAIN problem of political parties in Nigeria during the First Republic was that they

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the main problem of political parties in Nigeria's First Republic (1960-1966).

Step 2: Recall the concept The major parties of the First Republic grew out of regional and ethnic bases:

• Northern People's Congress (NPC) was dominated by the Hausa-Fulani in the North.
• National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) was largely Igbo-based in the East.
• Action Group (AG) was largely Yoruba-based in the West.

Because these parties drew their support mainly from one region or ethnic group, politics became a contest between ethnic blocs instead of a contest of national ideas. This caused:

• Mistrust and rivalry among the regions
• Disputes over the census and the 1964 federal election crisis
• The Western Region crisis of 1962-63
• Weak national unity, which contributed to the collapse of the republic in the January 1966 coup

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Failed to contest elections: False. They contested the 1959, 1964 and 1965 elections.
• B. Poor leadership: Not the main issue. The leaders were well known and capable, such as Awolowo, Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello.
• C. Financially handicapped: Not the main problem. The parties were funded by regional resources.
• D. Not organized: False. The parties were well organized within their regions.
• E. Tribally based: Correct. Ethnic and regional bases were the defining weakness of the parties.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is E, were tribally based.

Exam tip: Remember the phrase "Regional parties = ethnic parties" for the First Republic. NPC = North/Hausa-Fulani, AG = West/Yoruba, NCNC = East/Igbo. If a question asks for the main weakness of First Republic parties, think ethnic or regional bias.