On December 4, 1989, the Nigerian government under General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida aka IBB released the manifestos and constitutions of two state-created political parties- the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC).
This move was part of a transition programme aimed at returning the country to civilian rule. The SDP was positioned as a progressive and welfarist party focused on social justice and equity, while the NRC adopted a conservative, business-friendly stance.
The two-party system was introduced to curb political fragmentation and promote national unity, with the government drafting the parties' ideological frameworks. While some people praised the effort to institutionalise democracy, others criticised the lack of autonomy in the process. This initiative culminated in the historic 1993 presidential election won by MKO Abiola of SDP as he defeated Alhaji Bashir Tofa of NRC. However, the election was later annulled by the military led by Babangida.
Other key events on this day
1. The Manifestos and constitutions of the SDP and NRC were released to the public - 1989
2. Haiti's President-General, Alexis Nord fled from military coup - 1908
3. Typhoon "Pablo" killed over 1,000 people in the Philippines - 2012
4. President Bush ordered U.S. troops to Somalia - 1992
5. Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent occupied Baghdad - 1534
6. US Supreme Court allowed President Trump's travel ban to come into effect for 6 mostly Muslim countries - 2017
7. Ivan the Terrible became the grand prince of Moscow - 1533
8. Nine people were killed and eight others reported missing after flash flooding hit a church in Johannesburg, South Africa - 2022.
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