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Nigeria's democracy since 1959
By Polls Africa
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Overall, Nigeria's democracy has been a work in progress since the country's independence in 1960. The country has experienced a number of military coups, periods of military rule, and a return to civilian rule in 1999.
In Summary
Despite these challenges, Nigeria has made significant progress in terms of democratic development, with a number of successful elections and peaceful transitions of power.
Nigeria’s first democratic elections were held in 1959, when the country was still a British colony. The elections were won by the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) party, led by Nnamdi Azikiwe.
The NCNC formed a coalition government with the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) party, led by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. This coalition government was in power until 1966, when a military coup overthrew the government and ushered in a period of military rule.
The military rule lasted until 1979, when a new civilian government was elected. This government was led by Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). The Shagari government was in power until 1983, when it was overthrown in another military coup.
Heads of state
Here is a list of Nigeria’s heads of state since independence. This list includes only the heads of state who held executive power and excludes acting heads of state or those who served in a ceremonial capacity.
- 1960-1966: Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Prime Minister)
- 1966-1975: General Yakubu Gowon (Military ruler)
- 1975-1976: General Murtala Ramat Mohammed (Military ruler)
- 1976-1979: General Olusegun Obasanjo (Military ruler)
- 1979-1983: Alhaji Shehu Shagari (President of the Second Republic)
- 1983-1985: General Muhammadu Buhari (Military ruler)
- 1985-1993: General Ibrahim Babangida (Military ruler)
- 1993-1998: General Sani Abacha (Military ruler)
- 1998-1999: General Abdulsalam Abubakar (Military ruler)
- 1999-2007: President Olusegun Obasanjo (President of the Fourth Republic)
- 2007-2015: President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (President of the Fourth Republic)
- 2015-2019: President Muhammadu Buhari (President of the Fourth Republic)
- 2019-2023: President Muhammadu Buhari (President of the Fifth Republic)
Democratic elections
Here is a chronology of Nigeria’s democratic elections since the country’s return to civilian rule in 1999:
- 1999: The first presidential elections of the Fourth Republic are held, with Olusegun Obasanjo winning the presidency.
- 2003: The second presidential elections of the Fourth Republic are held, with Olusegun Obasanjo winning a second term.
- 2007: The third presidential elections of the Fourth Republic are held, with Umaru Musa Yar’Adua winning the presidency.
- 2011: The fourth presidential elections of the Fourth Republic are held, with Goodluck Jonathan winning the presidency.
- 2015: The fifth presidential elections of the Fourth Republic are held, with Muhammadu Buhari winning the presidency.
- 2019: The sixth presidential elections of the Fourth Republic are held, with Muhammadu Buhari winning a second term.
In addition to these presidential elections, Nigeria has also held several parliamentary elections, including elections for the national assembly and state assemblies. These elections have generally been considered free and fair, although there have been some allegations of fraud and irregularities in some cases.
Electoral system
Nigeria has a presidential system of government, with executive power vested in the President. The President is elected by popular vote for a four-year term and is eligible for re-election.
Elections in Nigeria are held at the federal and state level. At the federal level, the President is elected by all voters in the country. The President is assisted by a Vice President and a Cabinet of Ministers, who are appointed by the President.
Nigeria is a federal republic, with power shared between the federal government and the 36 states that make up the country and the Federal Capital Territory, where the capital, Abuja, is located. Each state has its own government, with a Governor and a State Assembly.
Nigeria is a multi-party democracy, with a number of political parties representing a range of ideologies and interests. The two largest parties are the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
At the state level, Governors are elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The Governor is assisted by a Deputy Governor and a Cabinet of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor.
Nigeria has a bicameral National Assembly, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is made up of 109 Senators, while the House of Representatives has 360 members. Members of the National Assembly are elected by popular vote for a four-year term.
Elections in Nigeria are administered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which is responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country. The INEC is an independent body that operates at arm’s length from the government and is responsible for registering voters, organizing elections, and declaring election results.
References.
AI, NaijNaira, Nations Online Project.