NIGERIA WILL MAKE HISTORY COME MAY 29, 2015

BY AYODELE SEUN

President Goodluck to Handover To Gen. Buhari

Nigeria has made many political history in the past starting with gaining of independence from colonial master(British) on October 1, 1960 and became a republic three years after on October 1, 1963,when Queen Elizabeth seize been Nigeria head of state.

Military seize power from civilian on January 15, 1966. Major General JTU Aguiyi Ironsi became Nigeria First military head of state  and The military hand over power back to civilian on October 1,1979 that mark the beginning of Nigeria second  republic. Military once again seize power from President, Shehu Shagari  who was elected under the platform of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) on December 31, 1983 through coup d’état headed by General Muhammadu  Buhari.

Nigeria third republic is a form of diarchy headed by military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, his government formed two political party in 1989.Social Democratic Party(SDP) and National Republican Convention(NRC) that contested the presidential election which was conducted  on June 12,1993 which was widely adjudged free and fair and it was  won by SDP candidate, Chief MKO Abiola but was cancelled by Nigeria Military president, General Ibrahim Babangida who later hand over to Interim National Government (ING) headed by Chief Ernest Shonakan. General Sani Abacha took over power through palace coup from Chief Ernest Shonekan.

The first elections of the fourth republic  was conducted in Nigeria on February 27,1999 by then military head of state, General,  Abubakar Abdulsalam.The election was won by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who defeated Olu Falae, who was running on a joint Alliance for Democracy-All People’s Party ticket. He was sworn in on May 29, 1999 that marks the beginning of Nigeria Fourth Republic.  

Nigeria will soon make history. When for the first time an incumbent president would be handing over power to president-elect under another political party on 29 May, 2015.

Nigeria will always remember the roles played by the two major political actors. President Goodluck Jonathan who is the first ever Nigeria incumbent president to be defeated conceded defeat even before the official announcement of the results by INEC saved Nigerians an untold post elections crisis that would have erupted. President Jonathan deserve Nobel Peace Prize award for his sportsmanship.

Also the history will not be complete without mention Nigeria president-elect General Muhammadu Buhari who present himself for history to be made with his perseverance and consistent in pursuing his political aspiration after he has contested under the platform of All Nigerian people’s party(ANPP) in 2003, 2007 and also under the platform of Congress for Progressive change (CPC) in 2011 and finally won under the platform of All Progressive Change (APC) which was formed through the merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) and faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

IBB said “this history to me conveys two significant statements on our political history and evolution. First, that incumbent can be defeat in any democratic process if the people’s aspirations are not fulfilled. Second, that there is good reward for perseverance and hard work”.

Nigerians has finally made a significant political progress and our democracy is growing.