NECO Government 2025 Theory — Question 5

Model answer

1. Political Instability: The annulment triggered widespread unrest and uncertainty, affecting public confidence in the electoral process and deepening divisions within the political class. 2. Civil Unrest and Protests: Many Nigerians, especially in the South-West, engaged in massive demonstrations, strikes and civil disobedience, demanding restoration of the election results. 3. Economic Decline: The crisis led to business closures, capital flight, and loss of investor confidence, which severely affected economic activities and growth during the period. 4. Human Rights Abuses: Security agencies responded to protests with brutal crackdowns, resulting in arrests, detentions without trial, and extrajudicial killings of pro-democracy activists. 5. Emergence of Pro-Democracy Groups: The annulment gave rise to civil society organisations and coalitions such as the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which mobilised resistance. 6. Loss of Credibility of the Military Government: The regime of General Ibrahim Babangida suffered a complete loss of legitimacy, as both local and international communities condemned the decision, deepening ethnic and regional tensions and prolonging military rule under General Sani Abacha, but ultimately strengthening democratic consciousness that laid groundwork for the return to civil rule in 1999.