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Olusegun Obasanjo Wins Nigeria's Presidential Election! Congratulations to all Nigerians at home and abroad. OUTCRY Magazine Press Release, Sunday February 28, 1999.
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OUTCRY Magazine's Press Report February 26, 1999
The Evolution of Nigeria's Democracy
| After a long struggle with the
military government since 1960 when Nigeria attained independence from Britain, Nigeria is
finally on the road to a well implemented democracy. On Saturday February 20, 1999 Nigeria completed the semi-final step before the presidential election on February 27, 1999. This past Saturday, Nigeria completed the election of senators and assembly members where Lola Abiola-Eduwor the daughter of the late Chief Abiola won the Apapa Constituency of Lagos. Chief Abiola was the winner of the last presidential election in Nigeria, but was later jailed by the military government of the ruthless Abacha for declaring his presidency, he later died in jail in 1998. Abacha too was called by God in 1998 away from the world as part of what people called the divine intervention to give Nigeria freedom under democracy! |
Every eye across the world including Nigerians overseas are turning to Nigeria next weekend to see the outcome of the Presidential election between Olu Falae and Olusegun Obasanjo the former military leader who was jailed by Abacha. Obasanjo since his freedom has been campaigning to be the next president of Nigeria. He is supposed to have overwhelming support from every segment of Nigeria including the north.
According to news reports coming from Lagos Nigeria, People Democratic Party of Olusegun Obasanjo swept great victories in both the senatorial and the assembly elections on Saturday February 20, 1999. People Democratic Party might have sealed Olusegun Obasanjo's election victory next week.
Over 11,000 international election observers including the former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter are in Nigeria monitoring the election process for a peaceful transition from the military to a democratic government. United States has supported the peaceful transition from the military to a democratic government in Nigeria as initiated by Abacha's successor; General Abubakar.
The democratization of Nigeria is just the beginning of a government by the civilians. The question remains however regarding how countries like the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and other well developed nations will help Nigeria in the processes of industrialization, modernization, and international commercialization. Will they be able to help in the recovery of Nigeria's monies stolen by past officials from the corrupt military government?
