~1960
In 1954, British divided Nigeria into three federal regions where people elect their own governors, but soon each regions fell under the control of major ethnic groups. In 1960, Nigeria became an independent country with a parliamentary government, but the ethnic issue was not solved.
1966~1970
After Independence, Nigeria still needed to face ethnic cleavages and conflicts. In 1962~1964, anti-northern social unrest was triggered; and in 1966, the people of Ibo, from the east, assassinated the prime minister, causing chaos. But in July, the same year, Yakubu Gowan became the head of the country, and he rearranged four huge regions into twelve states, making people of Ibo furious for they lost their land from the sea. In 1967, the eastern region claimed independence, causing the Biafran civil war from 1967 to 1970.
1975~1979
In this period, Nigeria became the richest country in the surrounding region due to its oil reserves, but Gowon couldn't control the corruption emerged from wealth, and in July General Murtala Muhammed and his troops deposes Gowan. In the following 1976, Muhammed was assassinated led by his second-in-command, General Olusegun Obasanjo, who came to power and set up a new constitution.
1980~1999
In December, 1983, General Muhammadu Buhari started a military coup because there was no confidence in civilian regime, and he used election frauds as an excuse. Buhari tried to establish accountability and improve economy without making any changes in the power structure. But in 1985, because of economic crisis, anti-corruption campaign and criticized military rule made people undermined Buhari. Buhari was overthrown by General Ibrahim B. Babangida, who promised to reestablish democracy but postponed.
1983
National Party of Nigeria (NPN) captured outright majorities in the 1983 state and national elections through massive fraud and violence. The last vestiges of popular tolerance dissipated, and a few months later the military, led by Major General Muhammadu Buhair, seized power.
REVOLUTION:
The violent capture of the state and national elections by the National Party of Nigeria makes this change a revolution.
REVOLUTION:
The violent capture of the state and national elections by the National Party of Nigeria makes this change a revolution.
1985
When General Buhari refused to pledge a rapid return to democratic rule and failed to revive a plummeting economy, his popular support waver; and General Ibrahim Babangida seized power. Although Babangida announced a program of transition to democratic rule, he and his cohort engaged in an elaborate series of stalling tactics in order to extend their tenure in office.
1993
General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the presidential election in June 1993. The annulment provoked angry reactions from a population weary of postponed transitions, lingering military rule, and the deception of rulers. Due to such widespread discontent, Babangida was forced to resign after picking Ernest Shonekan as his successor. However, General Sani Abacha soon seized power from Shonekan and continued to delay the transition to civilian rule. Instead, he cracked down on political opposition, severely constricted civil liberties and political rights, and fomented corruption on a massive scale.
1998
WIth the sudden death of General Sani Abacha, his successor, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, quickly established a new transition program and promptly handed power to an elected civilian government led by President Olusegun Obasanjo and the People's Democratic Part (PDP) in May 1999.
2000
"Communal conflicts erupt in Lagos, Benue, Kaduna, and Kana states at different times over localized issues"
From communal conflicts, national unity as a whole is threatened. In the northern region, especially, religious and ethnic violence becomes a great issue, leading onto chain violent outbreaks in the southern regions as well. Furthermore, the different time of the occurrence of the strikes causes a greater chaos and instability in the country.
Evolution, because there is no intended change in regime. Rather, it is more of a violence strike on civil discontent.
From communal conflicts, national unity as a whole is threatened. In the northern region, especially, religious and ethnic violence becomes a great issue, leading onto chain violent outbreaks in the southern regions as well. Furthermore, the different time of the occurrence of the strikes causes a greater chaos and instability in the country.
Evolution, because there is no intended change in regime. Rather, it is more of a violence strike on civil discontent.
2002
"Spring - Supreme Court passes several landmark judgments, overturning a PDP-biased 2001 electoral law, and ruling on the control of offshore oil and gas resources. In November the Court opens the legal door for more parties to be registered."
"August - The National Assembly begins impeachment proceedings against President Obasanjo over budgetary issues. The matter ends by November, with the president apologizing."
While ethnic conflicts still continue in northern parts of Nigeria, with around 200 people killed in Lagos, PDP starts to lose its legitimacy as the Supreme Court tackles down its electoral laws. In less than an year, Obasanjo is on the verge of being impeached because of his military spending and accused bribery. Obasanjo does not back down until in November, when he officially apologizes for his wrongdoings.
Revolution, because the current power-holding party, the PDP, has been defeated by the Supreme Court. Also, because President Obasanjo was about to be overthrown, replaced by someone who is more pro-National Assembly, it is a revolution.
"August - The National Assembly begins impeachment proceedings against President Obasanjo over budgetary issues. The matter ends by November, with the president apologizing."
While ethnic conflicts still continue in northern parts of Nigeria, with around 200 people killed in Lagos, PDP starts to lose its legitimacy as the Supreme Court tackles down its electoral laws. In less than an year, Obasanjo is on the verge of being impeached because of his military spending and accused bribery. Obasanjo does not back down until in November, when he officially apologizes for his wrongdoings.
Revolution, because the current power-holding party, the PDP, has been defeated by the Supreme Court. Also, because President Obasanjo was about to be overthrown, replaced by someone who is more pro-National Assembly, it is a revolution.
2003
"Rogue police units stage a coup in Anambra State, temporarily arresting the governor. The putsch soon collapses, but Anambra becomes a war zone between the governor and the state's political kingpin, who has family ties to the president."
The first legislative elections are held after 1999 when the long-standing military rule ended, and Obasanjo is re-elected with a majority of the votes. Many doubts and conspiracy are expressed by foreign and domestic groups, but it does not affect Obasanjo and his cabinet much. In Anambra states, series of violence break out as the political tension between the governor and the state's political kingpin turn into a military battle.
Revolution, because the rogue police stages a coup in Anambra State. They arrest the governor, and fight for power over the Anambra State. Soon, a war zone is created because to decide who is the state over the Anambra State.
The first legislative elections are held after 1999 when the long-standing military rule ended, and Obasanjo is re-elected with a majority of the votes. Many doubts and conspiracy are expressed by foreign and domestic groups, but it does not affect Obasanjo and his cabinet much. In Anambra states, series of violence break out as the political tension between the governor and the state's political kingpin turn into a military battle.
Revolution, because the rogue police stages a coup in Anambra State. They arrest the governor, and fight for power over the Anambra State. Soon, a war zone is created because to decide who is the state over the Anambra State.
2006
"President Obasanjo tries to amend the constitution to allow himself a third term in office, but is defeated by the National Assembly, reflecting an unprecedented public outcry against Obasanjo."
Corruption with the oil business rise up, and people start resenting to foreign intervention on oil. However, they are suppressed by militant forces. With the high oil prices world-wide, Nigeria is able to pay off all its foreign debts in no time. Moreover, President Obasanjo attempts to pass a law that would allow him to run a third term in office, but is stopped by the National Assembly.
Evolution, because Obasanjo tries to alter the current law for his benefit. Although he is defeated, he does not try to change the regime, nor does he influence the governance, so it cannot be revolution.
Corruption with the oil business rise up, and people start resenting to foreign intervention on oil. However, they are suppressed by militant forces. With the high oil prices world-wide, Nigeria is able to pay off all its foreign debts in no time. Moreover, President Obasanjo attempts to pass a law that would allow him to run a third term in office, but is stopped by the National Assembly.
Evolution, because Obasanjo tries to alter the current law for his benefit. Although he is defeated, he does not try to change the regime, nor does he influence the governance, so it cannot be revolution.
2007
"The ruling PDP again takes a vast majority of election victories across the nation amid a deeply compromised process. Umaru Musa Yar' Adua, picked from obscurity by President Obasanjo, becomes president. Yar' Adua promises reform, but spends his first year trying to solidify his tenuous hold on power."
Obasanjo chooses his successor, Umaru Musa Yar' Adua to be the next president of Nigeria. While the Nigeria Senate and other government powers are too busy taking care of foreign investments in oil, Yar' Adua ossifies his power to become the central force.
Obsanjo influences his successor, but does not attempt to try the regime. Therefore, this is a evolution, not a revolution. Now, if President Yar' Adua tries to change the set of rules to his preferences, it will become a revolution.
Obasanjo chooses his successor, Umaru Musa Yar' Adua to be the next president of Nigeria. While the Nigeria Senate and other government powers are too busy taking care of foreign investments in oil, Yar' Adua ossifies his power to become the central force.
Obsanjo influences his successor, but does not attempt to try the regime. Therefore, this is a evolution, not a revolution. Now, if President Yar' Adua tries to change the set of rules to his preferences, it will become a revolution.
2008
"The Supreme Court upholds President Yar' Adua's election in a narrow 4-3 decision."
Violence on oil rises as the price for a barrel exceeds $100, and the Delta region falls into the federal troops property. The Nigerian government proposes a solution to the ever-increasing oil price, but the oil price is not checked. Religious tensions rise back to the surface as oil becomes the main problem, and people are killed in different areas such as in Jos, where 200 people are killed by their opposite religion.
This is not a revolution, as the killing is caused by the ethnic tension and is not trying to manipulate the laws. However, Yar' Adua's election in Supreme Court is a revolution because it tries to change Yar' Adua's regime into someone elses'.
Violence on oil rises as the price for a barrel exceeds $100, and the Delta region falls into the federal troops property. The Nigerian government proposes a solution to the ever-increasing oil price, but the oil price is not checked. Religious tensions rise back to the surface as oil becomes the main problem, and people are killed in different areas such as in Jos, where 200 people are killed by their opposite religion.
This is not a revolution, as the killing is caused by the ethnic tension and is not trying to manipulate the laws. However, Yar' Adua's election in Supreme Court is a revolution because it tries to change Yar' Adua's regime into someone elses'.
Sources
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ad41
https://www.princeton.edu/~pcwcr/reports/nigeria1978.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/nigeria2.htm
http://motherearthtravel.com/nigeria/history.htm
http://africanhistory.about.com/od/nigeria/l/bl-Nigeria-Timeline-4.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13951696
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ad41
https://www.princeton.edu/~pcwcr/reports/nigeria1978.html
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/nigeria2.htm
http://motherearthtravel.com/nigeria/history.htm
http://africanhistory.about.com/od/nigeria/l/bl-Nigeria-Timeline-4.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13951696