- Title / Office:
- president (1999-2007), Nigeria
- Political Affiliation:
- People’s Democratic Party
Olusegun Obasanjo
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Who is Olusegun Obasanjo?
Olusegun Obasanjo is a Nigerian general, statesman, and diplomat who served as Nigeria's military ruler from 1976 to 1979 and as its civilian president from 1999 to 2007. He was the first military ruler in Africa to transfer power to a civilian government.
Obasanjo's career includes leading a commando division during the Biafra conflict and later heading the government after the assassination of his predecessor. He played a role in Nigeria's return to civilian rule, winning the presidency in 1999 and serving a second term in 2003, though both elections faced reports of irregularities. During his presidency, he focused on poverty alleviation and corruption reduction but also dealt with significant ethnic and religious strife. He faced criticism for attempting to amend the constitution for a third term, which was ultimately rejected.
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What country did Olusegun Obasanjo lead as president?
Olusegun Obasanjo served as the president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. He was also Nigeria's military ruler from 1976 to 1979. Obasanjo's presidency aimed to alleviate poverty, reduce corruption, and establish a democratic system. His tenure also saw significant ethnic and religious strife, including the adoption of Sharia law in some northern states.
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When did Olusegun Obasanjo serve as president of Nigeria?
Olusegun Obasanjo served as Nigeria's president from 1999 to 2007. He was sworn into office on May 29, 1999, marking a return to civilian rule after years of military regimes. Obasanjo was reelected for a second term in 2003. His presidency focused on alleviating poverty, reducing corruption, and establishing a democratic system.
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What are some important things Olusegun Obasanjo did as president?
During his presidency from 1999 to 2007, Olusegun Obasanjo focused on alleviating poverty, reducing government corruption, and establishing a democratic system in Nigeria. He also aimed to reform the military and police.
Key actions and events during his tenure include:
* Transition to Civilian Rule: Obasanjo was Nigeria's first civilian leader in 15 years, marking a significant shift from military regimes.
* Bakassi Peninsula Dispute: He navigated the complex border dispute with Cameroon over the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula, ultimately honoring an International Court of Justice ruling to relinquish the territory to Cameroon in 2006.
* Reelection: Obasanjo was reelected in 2003, though this election, like the one in 1999, faced reports of irregularities.
* Constitutional Amendment Attempt: In 2006, he faced criticism for attempting to amend the constitution to allow for a third term as president, an effort that was ultimately rejected by the Senate.2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What was Nigeria like during Obasanjo's leadership?
During Olusegun Obasanjo's presidency (1999-2007), Nigeria saw general improvements, but significant challenges persisted. Ethnic conflicts erupted across the country, and tensions rose between Muslims and Christians as some northern states adopted Islamic law. Residents of the Niger Delta protested the exploitation of their land by petroleum companies, leading to militant actions that disrupted oil production. Obasanjo's administration also faced criticism for its handling of ethnic strife in the south and for corruption among officials. Despite widespread reports of voting irregularities in the 2003 election, Obasanjo was reelected for a second term. He also attempted to amend the constitution for a third term, which was ultimately rejected.
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How did Obasanjo influence Nigeria after his presidency?
After his presidency, Olusegun Obasanjo continued to be an influential figure in Nigerian politics. He attempted to amend the constitution to allow for a third term as president, but this was rejected by the Senate in 2006. Following his presidency, he remained a vocal critic of government corruption and sought to alleviate poverty. Obasanjo also played a role in resolving the Bakassi Peninsula dispute with Cameroon, ultimately honoring the International Court of Justice's ruling in 2006. His post-presidency actions and continued involvement underscore his enduring impact on Nigeria's political landscape.
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Olusegun Obasanjo (born March 5, 1937, Abeokuta, Nigeria) is a Nigerian general, statesman, and diplomat, who was the first military ruler in Africa to hand over power to a civilian government. He served as Nigeria’s military ruler (1976–79) and, as a civilian, as president (1999–2007).
Obasanjo attended Baptist Boys’ High School in Abeokuta, in southwest Nigeria, and later worked as a teacher. Unable to afford college, he joined the army in 1958 and received officer training in England. Obasanjo rose quickly through the army ranks. During the Biafra conflict (1967–70) he was appointed to head a commando division that was stationed at the Biafran front in southeastern Nigeria. The conflict ended when Biafran forces surrendered to him in January 1970.
In 1975 Brigadier General Murtala Ramat Mohammed ousted General Yakubu Gowon, the military head of state at the time, but announced that he would relinquish power to civilian rule by 1979. The following year, however, Mohammed was assassinated during an unsuccessful coup attempt, and leadership passed to Obasanjo, his deputy. During the three years he headed the government, Obasanjo emerged as an important African statesman and established ties with the United States. Obasanjo followed his predecessor’s timetable for a return to civilian rule and did not run for president when elections were held in 1979. Voting was extremely close, but Nigeria’s Federal Electoral Commission declared Shehu Shagari, from the north, the winner over the strongest challenger from the south, Obafemi Awolowo, who was a Yoruba. The results were condemned by most of Obasanjo’s fellow Yoruba as well as others over allegations that the election had been rigged, but the outcome was upheld by the Supreme Court, and Obasanjo gained the respect of the Hausa-Fulani leaders in the north for handing over power to Shagari.
Over the next several years, Obasanjo’s international profile rose considerably, as he held various positions in the United Nations and other organizations. A vocal critic of General Sani Abacha, who seized control of Nigeria in 1993 and established a repressive military government, Obasanjo was imprisoned in 1995 for allegedly organizing a coup against Abacha. Following Abacha’s death in 1998, Obasanjo was released. After the interim military leader, General Abdusalam Abubakar, pledged to hold democratic elections, Obasanjo announced his intention to run for president as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was declared the winner of the 1999 election with some 63 percent of the vote. There were widespread reports of fraud, however, and the results were strongly criticized by many, particularly the Yoruba, who had largely supported Olu Falae, Obasanjo’s opponent.
Nigeria’s first civilian leader in 15 years, Obasanjo sought to alleviate poverty, reduce government corruption, and establish a democratic system. He also pledged to reform the military and the police. Religious and ethnic strife, however, became a central concern during his presidency, as incidents of violence mounted and as most Muslim-dominated states in the north and centre of the country adopted Sharīʿah law. Obasanjo’s harsh response to ethnic strife in the south earned condemnation. Indeed, his overall authoritative style, the corruption that was still evident among government officials, and a strong challenger—Muhammad Buhari, a northerner who was a former general and a former military head of state—were among the reasons that Obasanjo faced a shrinking power base heading into the 2003 presidential election, despite receiving the pragmatic support of leading Yoruba politicians this time around. Still, Obasanjo was elected to a second term in April 2003, winning more than 60 percent of the votes cast, but, as with previous elections, there were widespread reports of voting irregularities and allegations of fraud.
In 2006 Obasanjo came under domestic and international criticism for attempting to amend the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term as president; the proposed amendment was rejected by the Senate later that year. With Obasanjo unable to run, Umaru Yar’Adua was selected to stand as the PDP’s candidate in the April 2007 presidential election. He was declared the winner, but international observers strongly condemned the election as being marred by voting irregularities and fraud. Nonetheless, Yar’Adua succeeded Obasanjo and was sworn in May 29, 2007.