As president of Nigeria since 1999, former general Olusegun Obasanjo has burnished his legacy of engagement in two transitions from military dictatorship to constitutional government by affirming his resolute opposition to militarism as a form of government. In 2005, however, a shadow descended on the president’s legacy of dedication to democracy. He evidently favored consideration of a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to seek a third term despite widespread public disapproval of any such maneuver. By graciously accepting the defeat of the amendment, Obasanjo has solidified his contribution to Nigerian democracy, but much remains to be done.
About the Authors
Richard L. Sklar
Richard L. Sklar is professor emeritus of political science at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Darren Kew is associate professor and chair of Conflict Resolution, Human Security, and Global Governance at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He has served as an international observer during every Nigerian national election since 1999.
The election cycle concluding in the spring of 2003 was a guarded success. High hurdles to better governance and democratic consolidation remain, but Nigerians can now face them with greater…
In Africa today, investment flows in and civil societies grow stronger, yet many of the continent's leaders continue to behave autocratically, defending their privileges against the spread of law-based rule.
