The latest episode of our 4th Republic podcast takes a look at the 2007 Elections. As the end of his second term as President loomed, President Obasanjo sought to amend the constitution to give himself a third term- one more than was legally permissible. However, the Senate led by Ken Nnamani ensured that this ambition did not see the light of day.
With his machinations failing, Obasanjo sought to ensure his influence on the political process of his succession was pronounced. He made sure to punish his “disloyal” vice, Atiku Abubakar who he felt had undermined him while throwing up the relatively unknown, Umaru Yar’ Adua as his anointed candidate. Yar’Adua of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) contested against his fellow Katsina kinsman, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress (AC).
These are just some of the dynamics that influenced the 2007 elections which were significant for being the first time a civilian administration would hand over power to another. There was also rampant vote-rigging and violence which influenced the credibility of the elections.
On Thursday, the 27th of January, we will take a deeper dive into the 2007 elections and its impact on Nigeria’s political trajectory via Twitter Spaces @takingCustody by 7 pm.
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