Nairobi: Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, gained independence from her British colonialists on 1st October 1960. From 1960 to 1999, the country witnessed a series of administrations with numerous military interventions. However, since 1999, Nigeria has experienced 26 years of unbroken democracy, becoming a beacon for other African nations.
According to Voice of Nigeria, although military rule interrupted democracy at certain points in the country’s history, the tide changed in 1999 when Nigeria reinstated a democratically elected government led by President Olusegun Obasanjo. Since then, Nigeria has enjoyed uninterrupted democratic governance with successive administrations. This continuity has cemented Nigeria’s status as a role model for smaller nations on the African continent.
To sustain democratic governance, Nigeria has established institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that strengthen the democratic system. INEC conducts elections for federal positions,
including the President and Vice President, as well as for National Assembly members. It also oversees elections in Nigeria’s 36 states, which encompass gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly elections.
Features of democracy in Nigeria over the past 26 years include the development of political parties and the autonomy of INEC. As a multi-party democracy, Nigeria’s constitution enshrines freedom of association, facilitating the registration of political parties. For the 2023 general election, 18 political parties were registered to participate.
For 26 years, INEC has ensured not only the conduct of regular elections but also the periodic review of the voters’ register, voter education, political party registration, monitoring of internal party democracy, and the introduction of new legislations for conducting free and fair elections. Notably, INEC has introduced technological innovations such as the Electronic Card Reader (ECR), Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and INEC-Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
These advancements serve as models for other African countries aiming to conduct free and fair elections.
Nigeria’s experience is particularly relevant for West African countries that have experienced military coups, a governance style now considered outdated globally. Nations in this region can learn from Nigeria by supporting democratic processes while the military focuses on protecting their countries’ territorial integrity.
Additionally, Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, has assisted in conducting elections in other African nations like Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Mali. The use of technology in elections and results transmission sets a precedent for African countries, potentially strengthening democracy and restoring confidence in their respective electoral bodies.