A Brief History of Democracy Day in Nigeria

Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. The term is derived from the Greek dēmokratia, which was coined from dēmos (“people”) and kratos (“rule”) in the middle of the 5th century to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notably Athens. 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.

The immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, declared June 12 as the new Democracy Day, in order to commemorate the events of the day of the presidential election in 1993 where results indicated a win for MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Abiola was never declared winner as the then Head Of State General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida annulled the polls citing irregularities.

As the country commemorates Democracy Day on June 12, it is imperative to reflect on the intricate journey towards democratic governance.

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. 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. The nationalist movement gained momentum after World War II, with prominent figures such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello emerging as key leaders.

During the colonial period, several constitutional changes occurred which gradually increased Nigerian participation in governance. For instance, The Richards Constitution of 1946, the Macpherson Constitution of 1951, and the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 each provided incremental political advancements, culminating in the self-governing regions by 1954 and federal elections in 1959.

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. 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. Despite the formal establishment of democracy, the period was fraught with regional and ethnic divisions, corruption, and electoral malpractices.

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. 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). Despite the military rule, Gowon initiated a post-war reconstruction and reconciliation programme.

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. The annulment of the 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola, sparked nationwide protests and civil unrest.

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. 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 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. His administration focused on stabilising the economy, addressing corruption, and improving Nigeria’s international image.

In 2007, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua succeeded Obasanjo. His administration was noted for its commitment to the rule of law. However, Yar’Adua’s tenure was cut short by his untimely death in 2010, leading to the succession of his Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan.

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. Buhari’s administration ended in 2023 and this brought President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into power.

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. Nigeria, a nation once notorious for military rule, is marking 25 years of democracy and Nigerians are eager to see what the future of democracy holds.