Today, May 29, 2024, Nigeria celebrates 25 years of uninterrupted democracy.
As we all know, this milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the events of the past. Let’s take a moment to revisit the key occurrences that paved the way for Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
Nigeria started its long-awaited journey toward Democratic Governance on June 8, 1998.
This shift didn’t come from a meeting or an announcement but through natural causes. The Military Head-of-State, Gen. Sani Abacha passed away.
Abacha, the only Nigerian soldier to attain the full rank of General without skipping any rank, took over in 1990 and led the last successful coup in Nigeria’s military history.
He took over power from the 3-month old Interim Government of Ernest Ọládẹ̀ìndé Shónẹ́kàn.
The coup “postponed” Nigeria’s return to Democratic Rule.
He governed with a strict, unyielding approach, marked by a severe disregard for human rights, including numerous political assassinations and summary executions of dissidents and political opponents in Nigeria.
However, his regime accomplished several economic milestones.
The death of the Kano-born Ruler propelled General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, to the forefront. He is the new Head-of-State.
A few days after taking office, Abubakar promised to hold elections within a year and transfer power to an elected president. He established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appointing former Supreme Court Justice Ephraim Akpata as chairman.
The INEC conducted a series of elections, starting with Local Government Areas in December 1998, followed by State Assemblies and Governors, National Assemblies, and finally the presidential election on February 27, 1999.
The presidential election pitted General Oluṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ (Rtd.) of the PDP against Olú Fálaè of the APP.
Official results confirmed Oluṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ as the winner with 63 percent of the vote.
True to his word, General Abdulsalami Abubakar constitutionally handed over power to General Oluṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ (Rtd) on May 29, 1999.
The new sheriff took to the stage and declared, “Thereafter, you, the good people of Nigeria, elected me, a man who had walked through the valley of the shadow of death, as your President, to lead a democratic civilian administration.” With this speech, Nigeria’s return to democratic rule was confirmed.
Twenty-five years later, Nigeria has yet to fully achieve the vision of its founding fathers, but there is hope in some quarters that all will be well.
Happy Celebration!
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