ABSTRACT
The immediate origin of the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) lay in the National Movement in the Constituent Assembly. It was made up of old politicians linked to the Northern People's Congress, new politicians, and businesspeople. The NPN was not held together by a clear and distinct ideology but by a careful distribution of office and rewards to regions, groups, and individuals. An important feature of the NPN was the support it received from many of the most wealthy businesspeople in the country. The main axis of conflict during the Second Republic was between the federal government and the twelve opposition states. Meetings of the twelve opposition governors provided the major forum for the opposition. Law and order was a priority for the civilian regime, and the regime gave priority to the police while the army suffered relative neglect. The period of civil rule saw a loss of federal power in relation to the states.
