The forcible ending of Nigeria’s second attempt at constitutional civilian rule since independence in 1960 is a mixed story. The 1983 general elections were tarnished by violence and fraud. They took place in a context of economic decline and policy disarray. However, the opposition still retained an important share of the federal legislature and control of several state governments. Following the elections, President Shehu Shagari took steps to restructure his administration and seek accommodation with the very disgruntled opposition and their supporters. A military junta led by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari drew on the failings of the Second Republic, including pervasive corruption, to sweep aside political structures engineered by the previous military regime in which he served.

Last modified

• 10/24/2017

Creator

• Richard Joseph

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/N2Z388

Keyword

• state
• elections
• Second Republic
• Africa
• Nigeria
• Buhari
• Shagari

Resource type

• Research Paper

License

• All rights reserved