General election 1979 - SS3 Government Lesson Note

The Nigerian general elections of 1979 were held after several years of military rule. The elections were seen as a significant step towards the restoration of democracy in the country. However, the election was also marred by controversy and crisis. 

The crisis of the 1979 election was due to allegations of electoral malpractice and fraud. The elections were conducted under the supervision of the military government, which raised concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the process. There were also allegations of voter intimidation, vote buying, and ballot-box snatching, which further eroded public confidence in the electoral process.

The crisis reached a peak when the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which won the majority of the seats in the national assembly, was accused of rigging the elections in several states. This led to protests and demonstrations across the country, with many opposition parties and civil society groups rejecting the results. The crisis ultimately led to the formation of a government of national unity, which included members of the opposition party, to ensure political stability and a peaceful transition to democracy.

Despite the crisis, the 1979 general elections marked a significant turning point in Nigeria's political history, as it paved the way for the return of democratic governance in the country after years of military rule.