Abstract

This study takes a critical investigation of party coalitions and political instability in Nigeria by making a comparative analysis of the NPC/NCNC alliance and the NPN/NPP accord. The study proceeds from one research question thus; is there a positive relationship between the NCNC/NPC alliance and NPN/NPP accord, and political instability in Nigeria’s First and Second Republics? The objective however, is to explore the positive relationship between the NCNC/NPC alliance and NPN/NPP accord, and political instability in Nigeria’s First and Second Republics. Thus, using classical Game theory as an explanatory guide, the study contends that as against the expected benefits from both coalitions, which has to do with fostering political stability, unity and peaceful co-existence of the various peoples of Nigeria, some contending issues were identified as factors that had indeed, militated against the coalitions. One of these contending issues or factors include ethnic and tribal rooting of the parties involved in the coalitions in both the First and Second Republics in the country. To this end, the major parties, NPC, NCNC, NPN and NPP were seen riding on the crest of ethnicity and thus, became highly enmeshed on ethnic and tribal squabbles. As a result, the overall development of the country was viewed from ethnic and tribal perspectives, which had indeed, resulted in socio-political tension and political instability in both republics, that in turn, resulted in military intervention in the Nigerian body politic. As such, we were able to validate our hypothesis thus; there is a positive relationship between the NCNC/NPC alliance and NPN/NPP accord, and political instability in Nigeria’s First and Second Republics. We relied heavily on observation technique as a method of generating our data. Equally, our method of data analysis was based on content analysis of secondary data such as text books, newspapers, magazines Journals and lecture modules. Arising from our research findings therefore, we recommend among other things that all the relevant legislations and policies in support of formation of political parties in Nigeria that have national spread or indeed, devoid of ethnic or tribal symbols should be revisited with a view to restrengthening them.