Obi, Cyril I. “Democratising Nigerian Politics: Transcending the Shadows of Militarism”. Review of African Political Economy, Vol. 34, No. 112, ‘Trading Africa's Future’ (June, 2007), pp. 379-384

One of the paradoxical features of the political transition(s) to democracy in Nigeria is that they have all been imposed by hegemonic bloc(s) within the military elite. Nigeria has inherited democracies from military Generals. Such transition(s)have provided legitimacy for the political elite to monopolize State power, gain international credibility and control access to vast providential petroleum resources. These elite pacts that underscore Nigeria's political transitions have undermined democracy, precisely by adopting its platform and appearance to gain legitimacy, while blocking genu in democratic forces from participating in politics or limiting them to voting without choosing.

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