Civil Rule in Nigeria (Cont’d) – Forth Republic (1999-Present) Basic 6 Nigerian History Lesson Note

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

• List the major political parties that contested in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 elections
• List the presidential candidates to date
• Write the major achievements of each administration
• Examine the shortcomings of each of these administrations

Content

Nigeria’s Fourth Republic (1999-Present): The Fourth Republic began on May 29, 1999, and continues today. It represents Nigeria’s longest period of uninterrupted democratic rule.

Major Political Parties (1999-2023):

1. People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

• Founded: 1998
• Ideology: Social democracy
• Symbol: Umbrella
• Dominant Period: 1999-2015

2. All People’s Party (APP) – Later All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP)

• Founded: 1998
• Ideology: Conservative
• Symbol: Rising Sun

3. Alliance for Democracy (AD)

• Founded: 1998
• Ideology: Social democracy
• Symbol: Broom and Pot
• Support Base: Mainly Yorubaland

4. All Progressives Congress (APC)

• Founded: 2013 (merger of several parties)
• Ideology: Progressive democracy
• Symbol: Broom
• Dominant Period: 2015-present

Presidential Elections and Candidates:

1999 ELECTION:

• Winner: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP)
• Runner-up: Chief Olu Falae (AD/APP Alliance)
• Significance: Return to democracy after military rule

2003 ELECTION:

• Winner: Olusegun Obasanjo (PDP) – Second Term
• Major Opponent: Muhammadu Buhari (ANPP)
• Other Candidates: Chukwuemeka Ojukwu (APGA)

2007 ELECTION:

• Winner: Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (PDP)
• Major Opponents: Muhammadu Buhari (ANPP), Atiku Abubakar (AC)
• Controversy: Election widely criticized for irregularities

2011 ELECTION:

• Winner: Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (PDP)
• Major Opponent: Muhammadu Buhari (CPC)
• Other Candidates: Nuhu Ribadu (ACN)
• Note: Jonathan completed Yar’Adua’s term after his death in 2010

2015 ELECTION:

• Winner: Muhammadu Buhari (APC)
• Defeated: Goodluck Jonathan (PDP)
• Significance: First time opposition defeated incumbent

2019 ELECTION:

• Winner: Muhammadu Buhari (APC) – Second Term
• Major Opponent: Atiku Abubakar (PDP)
• Other Candidates: Oby Ezekwesili (ACPN), Kingsley Moghalu (YPP)

2023 ELECTION:

• Winner: Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC)
• Major Opponents: Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP)
• Other Candidates: Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP)

Achievements of Each Administration:

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO (1999-2007):

Major Achievements:

1. Democratic Consolidation 
   • Strengthened democratic institutions
   • Conducted regular elections
   • Respected term limits
2. Economic Reforms 
   • Debt Relief: Negotiated cancellation of $18 billion foreign debt
   • Banking Reform: Consolidated banking sector
   • Privatization: Sold government enterprises
   • NEEDS Program: Economic empowerment and development
3. Anti-Corruption Efforts 
   • Established Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
   • Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
   • Prosecuted high-profile corruption cases
4. Foreign Policy 
   • Restored Nigeria’s international image
   • Active role in African Union
   • NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development)
   • Peacekeeping operations in West Africa
5. Infrastructure Development 
   • Road construction and rehabilitation
   • Power sector reforms
   • Telecommunications revolution

UMARU MUSA YAR’ADUA (2007-2010):

Major Achievements:

1. Rule of Law 
   • Respected judicial independence
   • Electoral reforms through Justice Uwais Committee
   • Constitutional amendments
2. Niger Delta Peace 
   • Amnesty program for militants
   • Reduced violence in oil-producing areas
   • Created Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs
3. Seven-Point Agenda 
   • Power and energy development
   • Food security and agriculture
   • Wealth creation and employment
   • Infrastructure and transportation
4. Good Governance 
   • Transparency in government contracts
   • Due process in procurement
   • Fiscal responsibility

GOODLUCK JONATHAN (2010-2015):

Major Achievements:

1. Agricultural Revolution 
   • Growth Enhancement Support (GES) program
   • Increased food production
   • Created jobs in agriculture
2. Peaceful Transition 
   • Accepted defeat gracefully in 2015
   • Strengthened democratic culture
   • International praise for statesmanship
3. Economic Growth 
   • GDP rebasing showed Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy
   • Capital market development
   • Foreign investment attraction
4. Social Programs 
   • SURE-P: Subsidy Reinvestment Program
   • Youth employment programs
   • Maternal and child health initiatives
5. Infrastructure 
   • Railway modernization projects
   • Airport upgrades
   • Road construction

MUHAMMADU BUHARI (2015-2023):

Major Achievements:

1. Anti-Corruption Fight 
   • Strengthened EFCC and ICPC
   • Treasury Single Account (TSA)
   • Whistleblower policy
   • Asset recovery programs
2. Security Improvements 
   • Reduced Boko Haram activities
   • Military equipment procurement
   • Regional security cooperation
3. Infrastructure Development 
   • Railway Projects: Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna
   • Road construction nationwide
   • Airport modernization
   • Seaport development
4. Economic Diversification 
   • Anchor Borrowers Program (agriculture)
   • Local content promotion
   • Border closure to protect local industries
5. Social Programs 
   • N-Power: Youth employment program
   • TraderMoni: Support for small traders
   • School feeding programs

BOLA AHMED TINUBU (2023-Present):

Early Achievements:

1. Economic Reforms 
   • Fuel subsidy removal
   • Foreign exchange market reforms
   • Tax system improvements
2. Renewed Hope Agenda 
   • Focus on security, economy, and corruption
   • Youth engagement programs
   • Infrastructure continuation

Shortcomings of Each Administration:

OBASANJO ADMINISTRATION:

• Third Term Agenda: Controversial attempt to extend tenure
• Power Supply: Failed to solve electricity problems
• Ethnic Tensions: Religious and communal conflicts
• Democratic Deficits: Heavy-handed approach to opposition

YAR’ADUA ADMINISTRATION:

• Health Challenges: President’s illness affected governance
• Power Crisis: Could not solve electricity problems
• Slow Implementation: Many policies not fully executed
• Constitutional Crisis: Doctrine of necessity controversy

JONATHAN ADMINISTRATION:

• Security Challenges: Rise of Boko Haram insurgency
• Corruption: High-level corruption scandals
• Economic Management: Overreliance on oil revenues
• Infrastructure Deficit: Poor state of roads and power

BUHARI ADMINISTRATION:

• Economic Recession: Nigeria entered recession twice
• Insecurity: Banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder conflicts
• Foreign Exchange: Naira devaluation and scarcity
• Unity Challenges: Ethnic and religious tensions

Activities

• Create a timeline of all Fourth Republic presidents
• Compare achievements and challenges of different administrations
• Debate on which administration performed better
• Research current government policies and programs

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Fourth Republic began in: a) 1998 b) 1999 c) 2000 d) 2001 
2. Who was Nigeria’s first president in the Fourth Republic? a) Shehu Shagari b) Olusegun Obasanjo c) Umaru Yar’Adua d) Goodluck Jonathan 
3. Which president first defeated an incumbent in Nigeria? a) Obasanjo b) Yar’Adua c) Jonathan d) Buhari 
4. The EFCC was established during which administration? a) Obasanjo b) Yar’Adua c) Jonathan d) Buhari 
5. Nigeria became Africa’s largest economy during which presidency? a) Obasanjo b) Yar’Adua c) Jonathan d) Buhari 

Homework

Choose any two presidents from the Fourth Republic and compare them by writing about: (1) Their major achievements, (2) Their biggest challenges, (3) How they handled democracy, (4) Their impact on Nigeria’s development. Conclude by stating which one you think served Nigeria better and give reasons.