In the aftermath of the Napoleon
wars, the British expanded her trade relations with the Nigerian interior and
in 1885, British claims over parts of West Africa was internationally
recognised, leading to the formation of the Royal Niger Company under the
leadership of Sir Goldie Taubman.
wars, the British expanded her trade relations with the Nigerian interior and
in 1885, British claims over parts of West Africa was internationally
recognised, leading to the formation of the Royal Niger Company under the
leadership of Sir Goldie Taubman.
On January 1, 1901, Nigeria
became a protectorate of the British, a part of the British Empire, the
foremost world power at that time. Then we had the Protectorates of Northern
and Southern Nigeria and the Colony of Lagos.
became a protectorate of the British, a part of the British Empire, the
foremost world power at that time. Then we had the Protectorates of Northern
and Southern Nigeria and the Colony of Lagos.
In 1914, the protectorates and
the colony were united by Sir Fredrick Lugard to become the Colony and
Protectorate of Nigeria, a name authored by Lugard’s wife.
the colony were united by Sir Fredrick Lugard to become the Colony and
Protectorate of Nigeria, a name authored by Lugard’s wife.
Administratively, the country
was divided into the Southern and Northern Protectorates and Colony of Lagos.
However, western education, and rapid economic development took root more in
the South than in the North and this has remained and has continued to affect
the political life of Nigeria till today.
was divided into the Southern and Northern Protectorates and Colony of Lagos.
However, western education, and rapid economic development took root more in
the South than in the North and this has remained and has continued to affect
the political life of Nigeria till today.
After the two World Wars, the
growth of Nigerian nationalism led to the push for autonomy and successive
constitutions promulgated by the British authority moved the country towards
self-government, which was premised on a representative and increasingly,
federal basis.
growth of Nigerian nationalism led to the push for autonomy and successive
constitutions promulgated by the British authority moved the country towards
self-government, which was premised on a representative and increasingly,
federal basis.
The Federation of Nigeria came
into existence on October 1, 1954 and following the great wave of agitation for
self-government that swept through the length and breadth of Africa in the mid
20th century, the British on October 27, 1958 agreed that Nigeria would become
an independent state on October 1, 1960.
into existence on October 1, 1954 and following the great wave of agitation for
self-government that swept through the length and breadth of Africa in the mid
20th century, the British on October 27, 1958 agreed that Nigeria would become
an independent state on October 1, 1960.
Nigeria became independent on
October 1, 1960 under a constitution that provided for a parliamentary
government fashioned after the British model. Jaja Wachukwu, who replaced Sir
Fredrick Metcalfe, became the first Nigerian Speaker of the Nigerian Parliament,
which was also then called the House of Representatives, from 1959 to 1960.
October 1, 1960 under a constitution that provided for a parliamentary
government fashioned after the British model. Jaja Wachukwu, who replaced Sir
Fredrick Metcalfe, became the first Nigerian Speaker of the Nigerian Parliament,
which was also then called the House of Representatives, from 1959 to 1960.
In the pre-independence era,
the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the premier of the Western Region, while the
late Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto was the premier of the
Northern Region and the late Chief Michael Opara was the premier of the Eastern
Region
the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the premier of the Western Region, while the
late Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto was the premier of the
Northern Region and the late Chief Michael Opara was the premier of the Eastern
Region
Independence As the Speaker of
the House, Wachukwu received the Instrument of Independence, also known as
‘Freedom Charter’ from the Queen of England’s representative, Princess
Alexandra of Kent at the independence ceremonies.
the House, Wachukwu received the Instrument of Independence, also known as
‘Freedom Charter’ from the Queen of England’s representative, Princess
Alexandra of Kent at the independence ceremonies.
At independence, Nigeria had
exclusive powers in defence, foreign relations, commercial and fiscal policy.
The Queen of England still remain the Head of State and legislative powers were
vested in a bicameral legislature while executive powers were vested in a prime
minister and his cabinet and the Federal Supreme Court exercise judicial
powers.
exclusive powers in defence, foreign relations, commercial and fiscal policy.
The Queen of England still remain the Head of State and legislative powers were
vested in a bicameral legislature while executive powers were vested in a prime
minister and his cabinet and the Federal Supreme Court exercise judicial
powers.
Political parties in the
pre-independence and independence and to a large extent, the post independence
eras however reflected the three major ethnic groups that made up the Nigerian
state. The Nigerian Peoples Congress (NPC) represented the conservative,
Muslim, largely Hausa and Fulani interests that dominated the Northern Region;
the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) represented the interests of
the Igbo and Christian-dominated people of the Eastern Region and the Action
Group (AG), which was a left-leaning party represented the interests of the
Yoruba people in the West.
pre-independence and independence and to a large extent, the post independence
eras however reflected the three major ethnic groups that made up the Nigerian
state. The Nigerian Peoples Congress (NPC) represented the conservative,
Muslim, largely Hausa and Fulani interests that dominated the Northern Region;
the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) represented the interests of
the Igbo and Christian-dominated people of the Eastern Region and the Action
Group (AG), which was a left-leaning party represented the interests of the
Yoruba people in the West.
In the 1959 election, held in
preparation for independence, the NPC, which represented what was alleged to be
three quarters of the land mass and half the population of Nigeria captured 134
seats in the 312-seat parliament, the NCNC won 89 seats and the AG obtained 73
seats.
preparation for independence, the NPC, which represented what was alleged to be
three quarters of the land mass and half the population of Nigeria captured 134
seats in the 312-seat parliament, the NCNC won 89 seats and the AG obtained 73
seats.
Nigeria’s first national
government was formed by the alliance between the NPC and the NCNC and the AG
became the opposition party. At independence, it was widely expected that the
leader of the NPC, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, would become
the prime minister of the newly independent state and its newly formed government,
but Bello chose to remain as the premier of the North and selected Sir Abubakar
Tafawa Balewa, to become Nigeria’s first Prime Minister.
government was formed by the alliance between the NPC and the NCNC and the AG
became the opposition party. At independence, it was widely expected that the
leader of the NPC, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, would become
the prime minister of the newly independent state and its newly formed government,
but Bello chose to remain as the premier of the North and selected Sir Abubakar
Tafawa Balewa, to become Nigeria’s first Prime Minister.
The charismatic leader of the
Yorubadominated AG, Awolowo, became leader of the opposition, but this was not
to last as in 1962, a faction broke out of the AG, under the leadership of late
Ladoke Akintola, who was the premier of the West. The Akintola faction argued
that the Yoruba was losing its pre-eminent position in business in the country
to the Igbo, largely due to the NCNC’s alliance with the Federal Government
under the NPC. Balewa aligned with Akintola and sought to have the AG as part
of the government, but the AG leadership under Awolowo disagreed. Akintola was
removed and replaced by Moses Majekodunmi.
Yorubadominated AG, Awolowo, became leader of the opposition, but this was not
to last as in 1962, a faction broke out of the AG, under the leadership of late
Ladoke Akintola, who was the premier of the West. The Akintola faction argued
that the Yoruba was losing its pre-eminent position in business in the country
to the Igbo, largely due to the NCNC’s alliance with the Federal Government
under the NPC. Balewa aligned with Akintola and sought to have the AG as part
of the government, but the AG leadership under Awolowo disagreed. Akintola was
removed and replaced by Moses Majekodunmi.
When the Western Region
parliament met to ratify the change, riot broke out in the House, leading to
the breaking of the mace and the eventual declaration of state of emergency in
the West. The Federal Government arrested Awolowo and some members of his faction
and charged them with treason.
parliament met to ratify the change, riot broke out in the House, leading to
the breaking of the mace and the eventual declaration of state of emergency in
the West. The Federal Government arrested Awolowo and some members of his faction
and charged them with treason.
Akintola returned to head a
coalition government in the West and the AG became an opposition party in its
own enclave.
coalition government in the West and the AG became an opposition party in its
own enclave.
The
First Republic
Nigeria proclaimed itself the Federal Republic of Nigeria on
October 1, 1963 and the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first Governor-General of
the Nigerian state became the country’s first president. Ethnic and religious
friction continued to be intensified largely due to the differences in the
economic and educational development that existed between the North and the
South.
First Republic
Nigeria proclaimed itself the Federal Republic of Nigeria on
October 1, 1963 and the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first Governor-General of
the Nigerian state became the country’s first president. Ethnic and religious
friction continued to be intensified largely due to the differences in the
economic and educational development that existed between the North and the
South.
A new pro-Federal Government
party, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), was founded and it took
over in the West. But, allegation of rigging trailed the 1965 election.
Earlier, Awolowo was imprisoned for treasonable felony.
party, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), was founded and it took
over in the West. But, allegation of rigging trailed the 1965 election.
Earlier, Awolowo was imprisoned for treasonable felony.
A new realignment of political
forces took place, with the dominant NPC entering into an alliance with the
NNDP and thus left the NCNC to join forces with the remnants of the AG.
forces took place, with the dominant NPC entering into an alliance with the
NNDP and thus left the NCNC to join forces with the remnants of the AG.
The events following the 1965
election would plunge the country into a needless civil war, following
widespread violence that erupted in the West, when the AG discovered to its
chagrin that it had elected pro-Federal Government representatives.
election would plunge the country into a needless civil war, following
widespread violence that erupted in the West, when the AG discovered to its
chagrin that it had elected pro-Federal Government representatives.
Entered
the military
On January 15, 1966, a group of young military officers, mainly of
the rank of Major of mostly Eastern extraction overthrew the NPC-NNDP coalition
government in a military coup d’état and assassinated the premiers of the North
and West, Bello and Akintola respectively.
the military
On January 15, 1966, a group of young military officers, mainly of
the rank of Major of mostly Eastern extraction overthrew the NPC-NNDP coalition
government in a military coup d’état and assassinated the premiers of the North
and West, Bello and Akintola respectively.
This led to a counter-coup by
Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, which was unable to quell the agitations and rife
that the first coup engendered. His attempt to unify the country through the
promulgation of Decree 34, which sought to jettison the existing federal
structure and the failure of the Ironsi government to put in place a
constitution acceptable to the various segments of the country and the renaming
of the country to Republic of Nigeria on May 24, 1966 led to nationwide riots
which brought about the Yakubu Gowon-led coup in July 1966.
Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, which was unable to quell the agitations and rife
that the first coup engendered. His attempt to unify the country through the
promulgation of Decree 34, which sought to jettison the existing federal
structure and the failure of the Ironsi government to put in place a
constitution acceptable to the various segments of the country and the renaming
of the country to Republic of Nigeria on May 24, 1966 led to nationwide riots
which brought about the Yakubu Gowon-led coup in July 1966.
The subsequent massacre of the
Igbo in the North led to increasing secessionist sentiments. Gowon, in an
attempt to foster unity, divided the four existing regions into 12 states, but
the Igbo insisted on autonomy for the East.
Igbo in the North led to increasing secessionist sentiments. Gowon, in an
attempt to foster unity, divided the four existing regions into 12 states, but
the Igbo insisted on autonomy for the East.
The
Civil War
Buoyed by sentiment expressed by his kinsmen, on May 30, 1967, the military
governor of the Eastern Region, Lt. Col. Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, declared the
independence of the Federal Republic of Biafra. This led to a 30-month civil
war in which over 3.5 million lives, mostly starving children, were lost. The
war came to an end due to the capitulation of the Igbo in 1970, with the famous
‘no victor, no vanquished’ speech by Gowon and the acceptance of the Instrument
of Surrender by the Biafra.
Civil War
Buoyed by sentiment expressed by his kinsmen, on May 30, 1967, the military
governor of the Eastern Region, Lt. Col. Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, declared the
independence of the Federal Republic of Biafra. This led to a 30-month civil
war in which over 3.5 million lives, mostly starving children, were lost. The
war came to an end due to the capitulation of the Igbo in 1970, with the famous
‘no victor, no vanquished’ speech by Gowon and the acceptance of the Instrument
of Surrender by the Biafra.
Nigeria witnessed an
unprecedented economic and infrastructural development after the civil war
following the rise in the price of crude oil in the international market
between 1973 and 1974.
unprecedented economic and infrastructural development after the civil war
following the rise in the price of crude oil in the international market
between 1973 and 1974.
Reneging on his promise to
return the country to civil rule by 1976, Gowon was overthrown in a bloodless
coup led by the late Gen. Murtala Muhammed and a group of officers who also
accused Gowon of corruption on July 29, 1975. The Muhammed regime announced a
transition timetable to terminate on October 1, 1979, when civilian government
would be enthroned in the country.
return the country to civil rule by 1976, Gowon was overthrown in a bloodless
coup led by the late Gen. Murtala Muhammed and a group of officers who also
accused Gowon of corruption on July 29, 1975. The Muhammed regime announced a
transition timetable to terminate on October 1, 1979, when civilian government
would be enthroned in the country.
On February 13, 1976, another
group of officers assassinated Muhammed in an attempt to wrestle power from the
junta, but the coup was rebuffed and Muhammed’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen
Olusegun Obasanjo became the Head of State. He kept faith with the transition
to civil rule programme and on October 1, 1979, the Second Republic was born.
group of officers assassinated Muhammed in an attempt to wrestle power from the
junta, but the coup was rebuffed and Muhammed’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen
Olusegun Obasanjo became the Head of State. He kept faith with the transition
to civil rule programme and on October 1, 1979, the Second Republic was born.
Second
Republic
Following the lift of ban on political parties, five parties, the
National Party of Nigeria (NPN), led by late Chief Adisa Akinloye; Unity Party
of Nigeria UPN), led by Awolowo; Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP), led by
late Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri; Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), led by the late
Azikiwe and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), led by Mallam Aminu Kano,
participated in the 1979 elections, which produced Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the
NPN as president. He was sworn in on October 1, 1979 as the first President and
Commanderin- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Republic
Following the lift of ban on political parties, five parties, the
National Party of Nigeria (NPN), led by late Chief Adisa Akinloye; Unity Party
of Nigeria UPN), led by Awolowo; Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP), led by
late Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri; Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), led by the late
Azikiwe and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), led by Mallam Aminu Kano,
participated in the 1979 elections, which produced Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the
NPN as president. He was sworn in on October 1, 1979 as the first President and
Commanderin- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The National Advance Party
(NAP) led by Dr. Tunji Braithwaite joined the five political parties to contest
for the 1983 elections.
(NAP) led by Dr. Tunji Braithwaite joined the five political parties to contest
for the 1983 elections.
The NPN won in seven states of
Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Niger, Rivers and Sokoto; the UPN claimed the
Western states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Bendel states; the NPP claimed the
two Eastern states of Anambra and Imo; the PRP also claimed two states of Kano
and Kaduna while the GNPP clinched Gongola State.
Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Niger, Rivers and Sokoto; the UPN claimed the
Western states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Bendel states; the NPP claimed the
two Eastern states of Anambra and Imo; the PRP also claimed two states of Kano
and Kaduna while the GNPP clinched Gongola State.
The new constitution jettisoned
the Westminster parliamentary system of government of the First Republic for a
United States of America-styled presidential system of government. It mandated
that party and cabinet positions reflect the ‘federal character’ of the country
and also mandated political parties to register their presence in at least
two-thirds of the states of the federation. The constitution also provided that
each state should have at least one cabinet minister representing it, a
practice that has subsists till date.
the Westminster parliamentary system of government of the First Republic for a
United States of America-styled presidential system of government. It mandated
that party and cabinet positions reflect the ‘federal character’ of the country
and also mandated political parties to register their presence in at least
two-thirds of the states of the federation. The constitution also provided that
each state should have at least one cabinet minister representing it, a
practice that has subsists till date.
Perhaps, unlike what we have
today where all the political parties in the country cannot differentiate their
ideologies and manifestoes, the UPN and the PRP presented the most coherent
plan of action during the electioneering of 1979, refusing to build coalition
of comfort but that of cooperation among like-minded individuals and
organisations.
today where all the political parties in the country cannot differentiate their
ideologies and manifestoes, the UPN and the PRP presented the most coherent
plan of action during the electioneering of 1979, refusing to build coalition
of comfort but that of cooperation among like-minded individuals and
organisations.
The 1983 elections, alleged to
be rigged massively by the ruling NPN, which won 12 states and huge majority in
the National Assembly and which sparked widespread violence led to the
truncation of the Second Republic by the military once again. A group of military
officers sent the Shagari administration packing and announced Major General
Muhammadu Buhari as head of the junta, which accused the civilian
administration of losing grip of the nation.
be rigged massively by the ruling NPN, which won 12 states and huge majority in
the National Assembly and which sparked widespread violence led to the
truncation of the Second Republic by the military once again. A group of military
officers sent the Shagari administration packing and announced Major General
Muhammadu Buhari as head of the junta, which accused the civilian
administration of losing grip of the nation.
The Buhari junta violated human
rights and clamped almost all the serving governors in detention.
rights and clamped almost all the serving governors in detention.
The junta was also to be sent
packing by the third ranking member of its Supreme Military Council (SMC),
General Ibrahim Babangida, who accused the Buhari regime of misuse of power,
violations of human rights and failure to stem the descent of the economy into
an abyss.
packing by the third ranking member of its Supreme Military Council (SMC),
General Ibrahim Babangida, who accused the Buhari regime of misuse of power,
violations of human rights and failure to stem the descent of the economy into
an abyss.
The
aborted Third Republic
Babangida pledged that his junta would return the country to
civilian rule by 1990, a date that was later extended to 1993. He also
constituted a Constituent Assembly, which in 1989 fashioned out a constitution
for the country. In October 1989, the Babangida administration established two
political parties – the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National
Republican Convention (NRC).
aborted Third Republic
Babangida pledged that his junta would return the country to
civilian rule by 1990, a date that was later extended to 1993. He also
constituted a Constituent Assembly, which in 1989 fashioned out a constitution
for the country. In October 1989, the Babangida administration established two
political parties – the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National
Republican Convention (NRC).
But the Babangida transition
suffered so many hiccups with the disqualification of prominent politicians
that included the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. But in December 1990, the first
round of elections were held to elect representatives at the local government
level, with low turnout but devoid of violence, the SDP won majority of the
local government councils, although the NRC also made a strong showing.
suffered so many hiccups with the disqualification of prominent politicians
that included the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. But in December 1990, the first
round of elections were held to elect representatives at the local government
level, with low turnout but devoid of violence, the SDP won majority of the
local government councils, although the NRC also made a strong showing.
State elections were conducted
in December 1991 and these were followed by National Assembly elections and the
presidential election was held on June 12, 1993, but the scheduled inauguration
of the new president fixed for August 27, 1993 was truncated with the annulment
of the presidential election on June 23, 1993 under the guise of several
litigations trailing the election.
in December 1991 and these were followed by National Assembly elections and the
presidential election was held on June 12, 1993, but the scheduled inauguration
of the new president fixed for August 27, 1993 was truncated with the annulment
of the presidential election on June 23, 1993 under the guise of several
litigations trailing the election.
The annulment threw Nigeria
into an unprecedented turmoil, leading to the loss of over 100 lives before IBB
finally stepped aside on August 27, 1993 and handed over power to an interim
government headed by Earnest Shonekan, a businessman turned politician, who was
to be at the helm of affairs till February, 1994 when new elections would be
conducted.
into an unprecedented turmoil, leading to the loss of over 100 lives before IBB
finally stepped aside on August 27, 1993 and handed over power to an interim
government headed by Earnest Shonekan, a businessman turned politician, who was
to be at the helm of affairs till February, 1994 when new elections would be
conducted.
The June 12, 1993 election
adjudged internationally and locally to be the freest in the annals of election
in the country, became a watershed in the historical and political history of
Nigeria and have continued to generate passion and controversy till date.
adjudged internationally and locally to be the freest in the annals of election
in the country, became a watershed in the historical and political history of
Nigeria and have continued to generate passion and controversy till date.
The presumed winner of the
election, late Chief M. K. O. Abiola, eventually ended up and died in detention
after several efforts to reclaim his mandate were unsuccessful. On November 17,
1993, the lameduck Shonekan interim government was to come to an end when the
Minister of Defence, General Sani Abacha overthrew it and proclaimed himself
the Head of State.
election, late Chief M. K. O. Abiola, eventually ended up and died in detention
after several efforts to reclaim his mandate were unsuccessful. On November 17,
1993, the lameduck Shonekan interim government was to come to an end when the
Minister of Defence, General Sani Abacha overthrew it and proclaimed himself
the Head of State.
The
Abacha/Abdusalami Abubakar years
General Abacha forced the Shonekan interim administration to
resign on November 17, 1993, following what he described as his attempt to
arrest the slide into anarchy in the country. Following his takeover, Abacha
disbanded all democratic institutions already in place and appointed military
governors to take over at the states.
Abacha/Abdusalami Abubakar years
General Abacha forced the Shonekan interim administration to
resign on November 17, 1993, following what he described as his attempt to
arrest the slide into anarchy in the country. Following his takeover, Abacha
disbanded all democratic institutions already in place and appointed military
governors to take over at the states.
He began his own transition
programme by legislating into existence five political parties that were later
to be described as ‘five leprous fingers of the same hand’, which adopted him
as their candidate for the presidential election. Abacha’s plan to transmute
from a military dictator to civilian president came to an abrupt end on June 8,
1998, following his death due to a heart attack he suffered and was replaced by
General Abdulsalami Abubakar on June 9, 1998.
programme by legislating into existence five political parties that were later
to be described as ‘five leprous fingers of the same hand’, which adopted him
as their candidate for the presidential election. Abacha’s plan to transmute
from a military dictator to civilian president came to an abrupt end on June 8,
1998, following his death due to a heart attack he suffered and was replaced by
General Abdulsalami Abubakar on June 9, 1998.
Abubakar announced almost
immediately the transition programme, which ended military rule on May 29,
1999, with the handing over of power to an elected President and Commander in
Chief of the Armed Forces.
immediately the transition programme, which ended military rule on May 29,
1999, with the handing over of power to an elected President and Commander in
Chief of the Armed Forces.
Three political parties were
registered by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) to contest the elections in 1999 and they were: the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the All Peoples
Party (APP). The AD and the APP entered into an alliance for the presidential
alliance and this led to the emergence of Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF) and Minister of Finance to slug it out with
the PDP candidate, former Head of State, Obasanjo.
registered by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) to contest the elections in 1999 and they were: the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and the All Peoples
Party (APP). The AD and the APP entered into an alliance for the presidential
alliance and this led to the emergence of Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation (SGF) and Minister of Finance to slug it out with
the PDP candidate, former Head of State, Obasanjo.
The
Fourth Republic
The emergence of the present democratic experiment ended a 16-year
long consecutive military dictatorship. Obasanjo was elected president and was
inaugurated on May 29, 1999. The PDP also won majority in the National
Assembly. The AD, regarded by many as an offshoot of the defunct UPN lay claim
to the West, now known as South-West, by winning all the six states in the
zone. The PDP won the majority states which include: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom,
Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo,
Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Rivers and
Taraba,. The AD won in Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states while the
APP won in Borno, Gombe, Kebbi, Kogi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states.
Fourth Republic
The emergence of the present democratic experiment ended a 16-year
long consecutive military dictatorship. Obasanjo was elected president and was
inaugurated on May 29, 1999. The PDP also won majority in the National
Assembly. The AD, regarded by many as an offshoot of the defunct UPN lay claim
to the West, now known as South-West, by winning all the six states in the
zone. The PDP won the majority states which include: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom,
Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo,
Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Rivers and
Taraba,. The AD won in Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states while the
APP won in Borno, Gombe, Kebbi, Kogi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states.
Despite the challenges of
nationhood which confronted the nascent democracy of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria
had continued to forge ahead and had seen 13 years of unbroken democratic
experience, following the return of Obasanjo for a second term as president in
2003, the election of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as president in 2007 and the
elevation of his vice, Goodluck Jonathan, first as acting president following
the absence of Yar’Adua as a result of ill-health and president following the
demise of Yar’Adua on May 5, 2009 and his subsequent election as president in
2011 for a fresh four-year term.
nationhood which confronted the nascent democracy of the Fourth Republic, Nigeria
had continued to forge ahead and had seen 13 years of unbroken democratic
experience, following the return of Obasanjo for a second term as president in
2003, the election of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as president in 2007 and the
elevation of his vice, Goodluck Jonathan, first as acting president following
the absence of Yar’Adua as a result of ill-health and president following the
demise of Yar’Adua on May 5, 2009 and his subsequent election as president in
2011 for a fresh four-year term.
As Nigeria celebrates 52 years
of nationhood as an independent nation, political analysts believe that the
country has yet to be economically and even politically independent, especially
on the backdrop of its dependence on external forces for its survival as a nation.
of nationhood as an independent nation, political analysts believe that the
country has yet to be economically and even politically independent, especially
on the backdrop of its dependence on external forces for its survival as a nation.
The massive wealth that the
nation has been blessed with has not reflected in the lives of its people as
they continued to live in abject poverty and penury. When will the Nigerian
people reach the proverbial Promised Land? That is the million naira question
begging for urgent answers!
nation has been blessed with has not reflected in the lives of its people as
they continued to live in abject poverty and penury. When will the Nigerian
people reach the proverbial Promised Land? That is the million naira question
begging for urgent answers!
Source: National Mirror
