The total number of political parties that registered for the 1979 elections in Nigeria was

Analyze the question: It asks how many political parties were registered by FEDECO (the Federal Electoral Commission) for the 1979 elections that ushered in the Second Republic.

Concept: In 1978, the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo lifted the ban on political activity. About 50 associations applied to FEDECO for registration as political parties, but only a few met the requirements, such as nationwide membership spread and a national outlook.

Step by step:

1. FEDECO, headed by Chief Michael Ani, screened the applicants.
2. Five parties were registered: • National Party of Nigeria (NPN), led by Shehu Shagari • Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led by Obafemi Awolowo • Nigeria People's Party (NPP), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe • Great Nigeria People's Party (GNPP), led by Waziri Ibrahim • People's Redemption Party (PRP), led by Aminu Kano
3. Counting these gives 5 parties.

The People's Redemption Party and the Great Nigeria People's Party are the ones students most often forget. Also note that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) are not part of this count. They belong to the Third Republic, 1989-1993, and were only two in number.

Answer: The correct option is C. five.

Exam tip: Remember the 1979 parties with the phrase "NUN GP", meaning NPN, UPN, NPP, GNPP, PRP. Five letters or groups, five parties. Also remember that in 1979 there were five parties, while in 1989 there were only two.