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A history of Nigeria’s Democracy
By Polls Africa
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Nigeria will hold presidential election on 25 February 2023 to elect the president and vice president. Nigeria has a long and complex history of democracy, with various periods of democratic and military rule since it gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
In Summary
Overall, Nigeria’s journey towards democracy has been marked by both progress and setbacks, and the country continues to work towards building a more stable and inclusive democratic system.
In 1960, Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule and established itself as a federal parliamentary democracy led by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria upon independence.
The country’s first parliamentary elections were held in 1964, and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) won a majority of seats in the federal and regional assemblies.
In the early years of independence, Nigeria was led by a series of military dictatorships, with several coups and counter-coups taking place. However, in 1979, a new constitution was adopted and the country returned to civilian rule, with Alhaji Shehu Shagari becoming the first President of the Second Republic.
Return to instability
This period of democracy was short-lived. Political instability and economic challenges led to a series of military coups in the following years, culminating in the rise of General Muhammadu Buhari as military dictator in 1983. Buhari’s regime was marked by authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement, and he was overthrown in a coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1985.
Babangida’s regime was also marked by corruption and economic decline, and he faced widespread criticism for his handling of the country’s transition to democracy. In 1993, he announced a plan to return Nigeria to civilian rule, but this process was repeatedly delayed, leading to widespread protests and unrest.
The Fourth Republic
Military rule continued until 1999, when Nigeria returned to civilian rule under President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was elected in the country’s first democratic elections in over a decade. Obasanjo’s presidency was marked by efforts to reform and modernize the country, and he oversaw significant economic growth and progress.
Since then, Nigeria has held several successful presidential and parliamentary elections, with the country’s democracy continuing to mature and evolve. However, there have also been a number of challenges and setbacks, including allegations of electoral fraud and other irregularities, as well as ongoing struggles with corruption and poor governance. Despite these challenges, Nigeria’s democratic system remains an important foundation for the country’s future development.