Today, Nigeria celebrates its 62nd anniversary since gaining independence on October 1st, 1960.
As the years unfold, the nation has grown to have some of the most hardworking individuals as its leaders and pacesetters.
However, many Nigerians take a moment around this time of year to reflect on the nation’s progress genuinely.
People need to know where the ship is sailing to. But over the years, Nigerians have been concerned about the survival and welfare of their nation.
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What could the problem be?
What might be the cause of this worrying behavior that occurs every year?
Could political power have influenced this? Although, the political involvement, procedure, and appointment have remained in similar patterns since independence. The system has been upgraded.
So, in this article, let us revisit the history of Nigeria’s electoral bodies that has managed the power shifts.
Origin of Electoral Bodies in Nigeria
The Electoral Commission of Nigeria (ECN), which was founded to oversee the 1959 elections, is the first example of an electoral body in Nigeria.
The federal and regional elections held in 1964 and 1965, immediately following independence, were managed by the Federal Electoral Commission (FEC), which was founded in 1960.
However, the electoral body was disbanded following the military takeover in 1966. A new Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) was established in 1978 under General Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
The Second Republic, led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari, was established in 1979 due to the elections that FEDECO organized. Additionally, it managed the 1983 general elections.
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The National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) was established in December 1995 by the military government of General Sani Abacha, who had previously disbanded the NEC in 1993. NECON also held additional elections, from local government councils to the National Assembly.
The sudden death of General Abacha in June 1998 prevented the establishment of these elected institutions, though. NECON was disbanded, and General Abdulsalam Abubakar’s administration established the Independent National Electoral Commission in 1998. (INEC).
On May 29, 1999, the body coordinated all of the transitional elections that ushered in the fourth republic. It has changed its position to conduct credible polls supporting Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.
INEC was established permanently in 1987 and comprised employees hired by the now-defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC).
What About the 2023 Elections?
The Nigerian Electoral system has not witnessed anything close to free and fair since the beginning of democracy in the country. The 2023 elections, either, isn’t looking to be any different.
Looking back into the history of Nigeria from 1999, when the country returned to a fully democratized system, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was elected into the presidency. The party, however, planned to remain in power for 60 years.
Following the need for Nigerians to witness better governance, the party suffered defeat in the hands of political parties (ACN and CPC) that came together to form the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2015 General Elections.
Regarding the incoming 2023 general elections, concerns have been raised locally and internationally, questioning both PDP and APC over their failure in the last 23 years, to attend to the country’s dilapidated economy.
Labour Party has now joined the race with a formidable candidate for whom Nigerians have begun to drum immense support.
Will the 2023 general elections be a fluke too, or is it ‘time’ for a new Nigeria?
