Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. The term “Democracy” was first mentioned about 2500 years ago in Greek cities. Back then, it was the opposite to the aristocratic form of government. The modern type of democracy developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.
As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day on June 12, it is imperative to reflect on the intricate journey towards democratic governance. Nigeria’s democratic journey has been characterized by challenges and triumphs. It is a testament to the resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit of its people.
Democracy Day is a national public holiday in Nigeria to commemorate the restoration of democracy in 1999, commemorated on 12 June. Until 2018, it was celebrated annually on May 29. It is a tradition that has been held annually, beginning in year 2000.
Nigeria gained independence from Great Britain on 1 October 1960. For most of its independent history, Nigeria was ruled by a series of military juntas, interspersed by brief moments of democratic rule (for example from 1979 to 1983 with Alhaji Shehu Shagari). The last major military ruler was Gen. Sani Abacha, who died suddenly on Monday in 1998. His successor, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar promised a transition to democracy, and accordingly a new constitution was adopted on May 5, 1999. Elections were held and retired Gen. May 29 was initially the official democracy day in Nigeria, marking when the newly elected Olusegun Obasanjo took office as President of Nigeria.
On June 6, 2018, eight days after May 29, 2018, had been celebrated as Democracy Day, the government of president Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 to be the new Democracy Day. This was done to commemorate the democratic election of Moshood Abiola on June 12, 1993, which was wrongly cancelled by the government of Ibrahim Babangida.
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1993 Election Results
Colonial Era and Early Nationalism
Nigeria was amalgamated by the British in 1914, uniting various ethnic groups, languages, and cultures under a single colonial administration. The British imposed indirect rule, leveraging existing traditional structures to govern. This period was characterised by economic exploitation and political suppression, but it also laid the groundwork for nationalist movements.
Ethnic Groups in Nigeria
By the early 20th century, educated Nigerians began to demand greater political representation and rights. Organisations like the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), founded by Herbert Macaulay in 1923, played a pivotal role in advocating for political reforms. During the colonial period, several constitutional changes occurred which gradually increased Nigerian participation in governance.
Independence and the First Republic
In the long run, Nigeria attained independence on October 1, 1960, with a parliamentary system of government. The country operated as a federation with three regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern, later adding the Mid-Western Region in 1963. However, ethnic tensions and political rivalry marred the early years of independence, leading to instability.
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Then this brought the beginning of the first republic (1963-1966), with Nnamdi Azikiwe as the ceremonial President and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister. However, the democratic experiment of the First Republic was short-lived. A series of violent events, including the 1964 elections and the 1965 Western Region crisis, culminated in a military coup on January 15, 1966. This coup marked the beginning of a prolonged era of military rule in Nigeria.
Era of Military Rule
The first military coup in 1966 led to the establishment of Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi’s regime. However, his tenure was short-lived, as a counter-coup in July 1966 brought General Yakubu Gowon to power. Gowon’s regime faced significant challenges, including the Biafran secessionist movement, which resulted in the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970).
Nigerian Civil War Map
General Murtala Mohammed succeeded Gowon in 1975, promising to return Nigeria to civilian rule. Following Mohammed’s assassination in 1976, General Olusegun Obasanjo continued the transition plan. The military government organised a constitutional drafting committee and established a constituent assembly, leading to the promulgation of the 1979 Constitution, modelled after the United States presidential system. Elections were held, and the Second Republic was inaugurated in October 1979 with Shehu Shagari as President.
Then the military era resumed and we had Major General Muhammadu Buhari from 1983-1985, and General Ibrahim Babangida in 1985. Babangida’s regime introduced economic reforms but was also characterised by political repression and failed attempts to transition to civilian rule. After this, Babangida resigned in 1993, and an Interim National Government led by Ernest Shonekan was established but was quickly overthrown by General Sani Abacha in November 1993.
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Abacha’s regime was notorious for human rights abuses, political repression, and economic mismanagement. The mysterious death of Abacha in 1998 paved the way for a return to civilian rule. General Abdulsalami Abubakar succeeded Abacha and initiated a rapid transition to democracy. A new constitution was adopted in 1999, and elections were held, leading to the inauguration of Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military ruler as President on May 29, 1999. This marked the beginning of the Fourth Republic and Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation.
The Fourth Republic and Democracy Day
The return to civilian rule in 1999 was met with optimism and hope for a stable democratic governance. President Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military ruler, was elected as the first President of the Fourth Republic. In 2007, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua succeeded Obasanjo. His administration was noted for its commitment to the rule of law. Jonathan was elected after the completion of Yar’Adua’s administration. The 2011 elections, though marred by violence, were considered an improvement over previous elections.
However, his tenure faced significant challenges, including the rise of the Boko Haram insurgency and widespread corruption scandals. His administration ended and Muhammadu Buhari was elected. Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, was elected President in 2015, marking the first peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another in Nigeria’s history. Buhari’s administration lasted from 2015 to 2023. Buhari’s administration faced economic challenges, including a recession in 2016.
Democracy Day, celebrated annually on June 12, commemorates the annulled 1993 presidential election, which is widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history. The election, won by Moshood Abiola, was annulled by the military government, leading to widespread protests and civil unrest. In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as Democracy Day to honour Abiola’s memory and acknowledge the struggles and sacrifices of Nigerians in the quest for democracy.
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Nigeria’s Democracy Day is significant to the political history of a nation that repeatedly wrestled with military coups and subsequently undesirable, authoritarian regimes. Declared in 1999 to celebrate the restoration of democracy with the election of Olusegun Obasanjo, whose swearing-in was the beginning of 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in the country, Democracy Day is a national holiday in Nigeria celebrated on May 29 up until 2018.
On June 12th 1993 many millions of Nigerians expressed their democratic will in a general election. The Commemoration and investiture will take place on Tuesday June 12th 2018, a date which in future years will replace May 29th as a National Public Holiday in celebration of Nigeria Democracy Day.
