The presidential election of March 1999

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General Obasanjo's Party Wins Local Government Polls: By Remi Oyo and Toye Olori, IPS, 7 December 1998. Former head of state General Olusegun Obasanjo's PDP party has taken a commanding lead in Nigeria's local government elections, boosting his chances in the 1999 Presidential polls. Obasanjo, who ruled Nigeria between 1976-1979, was the only military leader who handed over power voluntarily to a civilian government, headed by Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria.
Nigeria's presidential elections: social breakdown and the oil industry are the central issues of the democratic transition: By Jackie DeLorme, ICFTU OnLine..., 26 February 1999. The democratisation process in Nigeria enters a crucial phase as the country goes to the polls for the presidential elections. There is a lot more at stake than tomorrow's vote.
Turnout Low as Nigerians Choose Leader: By James Rupert, Washington Post, 28 February 1999. Nigerians voted today for a civilian president to take power from the armed forces that have ruled this country for most of its history. But fewer people took part than politicians and analysts had expected, and many Nigerians said the moderate turnout reflected popular doubts about the fairness and democracy of this transition to civilian rule.