REMINISCENCES OF SELF-SUCCESSION BID IN THE NIGERIAN POLITICAL TERRAIN

Abstract

This paper attempts to show the prevalence of self-succession crusade that most African leaders, particularly, their Presidents or Heads of juntas had engaged in. in the case of Nigeria, I traced the selfish interest of incumbents in elongating their stay in  office. This was the case of General Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and then, Sani Abacha. Unfortunately, the civilian regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo attempted to elongate his tenure through constitutional amendment, but failed woefully. The “state” resources were wasted. Hence, this paper concluded in part that, Nigerians should continue to resist any attempt of any forthcoming administration to bid for self-succession with the aim of exceeding their tenure in office.