Five parties contest the transition elections

Nigeria's 1979 elections marked the country's return to civilian rule after thirteen years of military government, with five political parties competing for power across federal and state levels. The National Party of Nigeria (NPN) emerged as the largest party, while the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Nigerian People's Party (NPP), Great Nigerian People's Party (GNPP), and People's Redemption Party (PRP) represented different regional and ideological interests. Shehu Shagari of the NPN won the presidential election, though not without controversy over vote counting and constitutional interpretation.

The transition followed mounting pressure on military ruler Olusegun Obasanjo to restore democratic governance after the 1975 assassination of Murtala Mohammed had disrupted earlier democratization plans. A new constitution adopted in 1978 established an American-style presidential system, replacing the British parliamentary model that had failed during the First Republic. The military government lifted the ban on political activities in 1978, allowing these five parties to form and campaign after meeting strict registration requirements designed to promote national rather than purely ethnic or regional politics.