Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 August 2021
To all appearances, the transition program of General Abdusalam Abubakar has, from the beginning, been torn between two contradictory policy and strategic choices. The first is whether to appease the prodemocracy and human rights groups by accepting the convocation of a sovereign national conference, with all this entails, including a postponement of the disengagement date. The second is whether to ignore these groups, and organize a rapid, short, and sharp transition program, even if fundamental issues, such as the “National Question,” and restructuring the federation and the military, are sidetracked. By choosing the latter, the Abubakar junta demonstrated first that it would undertake the transition mainly on its own terms and with its own ideas.
1. Bourdieu, P., La Distinction, Critique Sociale et Jugement (Paris: Eds de Minuit, 1979), 128 (author’s translation)Google Scholar.
2. “Nigeria’s Future: Can Obasanjo Save Nigeria,” The Economist, March 6, 1999, 44 Google Scholar.
3. Kaunda, J.M., “The State and Society in Malawi,” Commonwealth and Comparative Politics 36, no. 1 (March 1998): 48–67 CrossRefGoogle Scholar.
4. Dan Agbese, Newswatch, June 11, 1990.
5. “Nigeria’s Future,” The Economist, March 6, 1999.
6. Osaghae, Eghosa, “The Role of Civil Society in Consolidating Democracy: An African Comparative Perspective,” Africa Insight 27, no. 1 (1997): 22 Google Scholar.
7. Mukandala, Rwekeza S., “Local Government and Local Government Elections in Africa,” The African Review 21, nos. 1-2(1994): 10 Google Scholar.
8. Nwokedi, Emeka, “The Fragility of Democracy in West-Central Africa,” Africa Insight 27, no. 4 (1997): 264 Google Scholar.
9. See Adedeji, Adebayo and Otite, O. (eds.), Nigeria: Renewal From the Roots? The Struggle for Democratic Development (London and New Jersey: Zed Books, 1997)Google Scholar, esp., ‘Kunle Amuwo, “Prospects for Sustainable Democracy and Accountability in Afijio, Oyo State,” ibid., 50-77.
10. Demola Abimboye, “Who Will Rule?” The News, December 21, 1998,22.
11. The Guardian (Lagos), February 12, 1999, 24.
12. Cessou, Sabine, “L’Engouement des Citoyens pour les Elections Locales,” L’ Autre Afrique (Paris), December 16–22, 1998,25Google Scholar.
13. Agbaegbu, Tobs, “INEC’s Week of Decision,” Newswatch, October 26, 1998, 31 Google Scholar.
14. Nkwocha, Jossy, “[Presidency]: How it was won,” Newswatch, March 8, 1999, 11 Google Scholar.
15. Adejumobi, Said, “Elections in Africa: A Fading Shadow of Democracy?” Africa Development 13, no. 1 (1998): 41—42 (my emphasis)Google Scholar.
16. “The People’s Choice,” Newswatch, March 1, 1999, 7 Google Scholar.