On the 12th of June 1993, Nigerians trooped to the polls to once again and for the third
time since the country's independence, inaugurate yet another republic through the ballot
box. In spite of mounting acrimonies, the election held and it was judged by virtually all
domestic and international observers as the freest and the fairest Nigeria has ever had. As
the results of the election began to trickle in. the military President. General Ibrahim
Babaneida. suddenly announced the susoension of the announcement of the election
results, eventuallv canceling the result outriuhl and susDcndinu the whole transition
oroeram. This abortion of the transition of oaf am threw the countrv into a oeriod of
urofbund crisis from which it is vet to recover. Usinu the 1993 election as a case sludv.
this DaDer examines the crisis of democratic transition in Nigeria. The relevance of oooular
culture, its deveiooment. ils use and abuse as well as its inmacl on ihe inlra-dite slniuttle
and comoetition for oower and for dominance are enunciated and analyzed.