Nigeria Seeks First Democratic Transfer of Power
November 9, 2006
Washington Post: Former Military Ruler Seeks Nigerian Presidency

The two-term presidency of President Obasanjo will end in 2007, marking a major challenge to Nigeria in peacefully transferring power from one elected government to another for the first time in its history.  Obasanjo, the first elected ruler of Nigeria, was barred by the courts in seeking to re-write the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.

The field of candidates continues to evolve, though mostly dominated by former military rulers or officials.  On Wednesday former Nigerian military ruler Ibrahim Babangida announced his candidacy.  In 1985 Babangida took control of the government through a coup, deposing another military leader Muhammadu Buhari, who has also declared his candidacy for 2007.  Babangida stepped down in 1993 following “a furious public backlash to his decision to nullify the results of a presidential election that was to select his successor.” 

Babangida’s advisors claim that “the days of military coups are over in Nigeria,” and that he is “determined to win the election and rule democratically.”