Nigeria: Can Obasanjo Break the Transition Jinx?

28 January 2003
opinion

Perspective — By now, it is common knowledge, even to casual observers of our political history, that transition from one government to another particularly, civilian-to-civilian transition has been a major stumbling block on the path of institutionalising and sustaining an enduring democratic legacy in Nigeria. And since Nigeria is now in the process of another civilian transition project, the near obsessive preoccupation with the year 2003 becomes comprehensible.

As you read this piece, politicians of all categories are meeting across the land perfecting strategies for the forthcoming 2003 general elections. In the midst of all of the strategising, one pervasive thought flickers in and out of their minds: will the party last? But politicians, even under the bleakest conditions are known to be incurable optimists.

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