A draft new constitution was published on Sept. 1978, political prties were formed , and candidates for president, Vice-President were nominated. five political parties competed, Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the national party of nigeria (NPN)was elected president. All five parties won representationin the national assembly.In Aug. 1983, Shagari and the nPN were returned to power in a land slide victory, with a majority of seats in the National assembly and control of 12 state govt.s But malpractices and rigging spoilt the results and the military overthrew the second republic on Dec.1983.Maj. Gen. Mohammadu Buhari became the leader of Supreme military Council (SMC), the country's new ruling body. The Buhari govt. was peacefully overthrown by third ranking member, Army Chief of Staff Maj.Gen.brahim Babangida, in aug.1985.
President Babaginda took some bold steps and took the help of IMF for economic recovery.
The abortive Third republic
Babaginda promised to civilian rule, the date of which he extendedupto 1993. A constituent assembly was formed, and for the promotion of political activities he formed two "grass roots" parties . Other parties were not allowed to register. Babaginda made to fail an unsuccessful coup by the mid-level officers whom he executed in 1990.The results of the election held on 1991 was cancelleddue to fraud,and Babaginda again came to power as a president, in Aug.1993.In the next lection, hel on July,1993, Yoruba businessman M.K.O. Abiola won a decisive victory. but he also was deprived of getting the chair resulting riot in which more than 100 persons were died. Ultimately babaginda was forced to hand over charges to Ernest Shonekan till the fresh election was held. The defence minister Sani Abacha forced Shonekan to resign and assumed poweron Nov. 1993.At first Abacha was welmed but soon a opposition leader, Abiola, formed an United front , national Democratic Coalition who after doing some ground work declared himself as president. He was promptly arrested and Abacha convened a constitutional conference on Jul. 1994. Abacha remained as president till his death when Gen Abdulsami Abubakar took power.
Abubakar's transition to Civilian rule
In Aug. 1998, abubakar Govt. appointed independent National Electoral commission (INEC) to conduct election the elections were hel participating nine political parties. final solution could not be arrived.
Now some peaceful arrangements had been attained and a democratin legislation were arrived participating 35 political parties.
