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Difficulty: MediumThird Republic Transition and June 12 Presidential Election

Arrange the following key political milestones of Nigeria's Third Republic transition program in correct chronological sequence, from the earliest event to the latest event.

  1. 1Implementation of the Option A4 voting system by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) for presidential primaries
  2. 2Conduct of the presidential election contested by candidate representatives of the SDP and NRC
  3. 3Formal annulment of the presidential election results by the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida
  4. 4Inauguration of Chief Ernest Shonekan as head of the newly constituted Interim National Government (ING)

Answer

The correct chronological order is: (1) Implementation of the Option A4 voting system by NEC, (2) Conduct of the presidential election contested by the SDP and NRC, (3) Formal annulment of the presidential election results by General Ibrahim Babangida, and (4) Inauguration of Chief Ernest Shonekan as head of the Interim National Government.
The transition program progressed in a distinct sequence: candidate selection via Option A4 primaries in early 1993, followed by the presidential poll on June 12, 1993. The election was subsequently annulled by military decree on June 23, 1993, which led to the stepping aside of General Babangida and the inauguration of Chief Ernest Shonekan to lead the Interim National Government on August 27, 1993.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the preliminary electoral process mechanism
The National Electoral Commission (NEC) introduced and implemented the Option A4 open-ballot primary system in early 1993.
Party candidates had to be selected through the primary system before the general election could take place.
2
Identify the date of the general presidential election
The historic presidential election between MKO Abiola (SDP) and Bashir Tofa (NRC) was conducted on June 12, 1993.
The election followed the successful nomination of candidates via Option A4.
3
Identify the military intervention following the election
General Ibrahim Babangida's military regime formally annulled the election results on June 23, 1993.
The annulment occurred during the collation process, days after voting was completed.
4
Identify the political arrangement resulting from the crisis
The Interim National Government (ING) headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan was inaugurated on August 27, 1993.
The ING was instituted as a transitional body when General Babangida stepped down amidst national opposition.

Key Concept

Chronology of Third Republic Political Milestones and the June 12 Crisis
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Topics

Third Republic Transition and June 12 Presidential Election