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An Opposition Perspective on Nigeria's Political Evolution

Major General Muhammadu Buhari, a former Nigerian Head of State and President Obasanjo's principal opponent in Nigeria's 2003 presidential election, is currently leading the legal challenge to the conduct and outcome of that election. A ruling in his case, now drawing to a close before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, is expected by the end of March, and will thereafter be appealed to the Supreme Court by whichever side loses.

Date & Time

Wednesday
Apr. 7, 2004
10:00am – 11:30am ET

Overview

General Buhari's military career included command of three of the Nigerian army's divisions, as well as political appointments as governor from 1975-76 of the then-North-Eastern State; federal commissioner (minister) for petroleum and energy, 1976-78; chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), 1978-79. Head of State from 1984-85, General Buhari spent 40 months as a political detainee after his ouster.

From 1995 until its abolition in 1999, he was executive chairman of the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF), created to apply to Nigerian development the proceeds of a 1994 increase in the price of petroleum products.

General Buhari entered politics in 2002, becoming a member, and later presidential candidate, of ANPP, the principal party challenging PDP at federal and state levels, and now the governing party in seven states.

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Africa Program

The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations.    Read more

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