09.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Nigeria was ruled by military all but 15 years since independence from Britain in 1960 ("Freedom in the World 2006") [ID 18126]

"The military has ruled Nigeria for all but 15 years since independence from Britain in 1960. Generals and their backers argued that they were the only ones who could keep a lid on simmering tensions among the country's 250 ethnic groups, as well as between religious communities; the north is largely Muslim, while the south is mainly Christian."

Document(s): Open document

10.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

A democratic transition led by a military after years of military dictatorship ("Country Report - October 2003") [#17332],  [ID 14815]

"4.1 President Sani Abacha died in office on 8 June 1998. On 20 July 1998, his successor General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the military head of state, announced a detailed plan leading to the restoration of a democratic, civilian government by 29 May 1999. He emphasised democracy, respect for human rights and the early withdrawal of the military from politics. He created an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which announced a timetable for elections beginning with local elections on 5 December 1998 and culminating in presidential elections on 27 February 1999. The turnout for the local elections was good, and there was no violence. Following these, INEC gave full registration to three parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD). The PDP and APP both have a national support base, but the AD's support is predominantly from the Yoruba in the six south-west states.

4.2 The local elections, State Assembly and Gubernatorial elections on 9 January 1999 and National Assembly elections on 20 February 1999 were all judged credible by monitors. PDP had the best results throughout the elections. AD and APP therefore agreed to field a joint candidate for the Presidential elections. Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP) with 62% of the vote won the presidential election. Chief Olu Falae, the joint AD and APP candidate, gained 37% of the vote. Local and international monitors witnessed irregularities in the poll, but judged that the result broadly reflected the view of the Nigerian people."

Document(s): Open document

04.2002 - Source: UK Home Office

UK Home Office: Country Assessment ("Country Assessment - April 2002") [#7103],  [ID 14816]

Document(s): Open document

06.1991 - Source: US Library of Congress

Nigeria - A Country Study [ID 14817]

Document(s): Open document