AFRICAN JOURNAL OF 
POLITICAL SCIENCE 
REVUE AFRICAINE DE 
SCIENCE POLITIQUE 
Volume 5 Number 2 December 2000
African Journal of Political Science 
Revue Africaine de Science Politique 
Volume 5 Number 2 December 2000 
A journal of the African Association of Political Science, is published two times a year (June 
and December). Articles in the AJPS represent neither the views of the African Association 
of Political Science (AAPS) nor its officers. Responsibility for opinions or views expressed, 
and the accuracy of facts presented and published, rests solely with the individual authors 
concerned. 
© African Association of Political Science, December 2000 
Printed by: Print-Source (Pvt.) Ltd, P.O. Box HG 640, Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Design & Layout: Martin Pireyi, P.O. Box CY2303, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Editor: Kwame A. Ninsin 
Editorial Board 
Oyeleye Oyediran—University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria 
Ruth Iyob—University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri, USA 
Patricia McFadden—SAPES Trust, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Onalenna Selolwane—Dept. of Sociology, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana 
Luc Sindjoun—University of Yaounde II, Yaounde, Cameroon 
Eboe Hutchful—Wayne State University, Detroit, USA 
Michael Chege—Centre for African Studies, University of Florida, USA 
Editorial Advisory Board 
Okwudiba Nnoli 
Dani W. Nabudere 
Helmy Sharawi 
Abdoulaye Bathily 
Ibbo Mandaza 
Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja 
L. Adele Jinadu 
Rwekaza Mukandala 
Subscriptions: 
African Institutions US$20 per issue (airmail) 
Non-African Institutions US$25 per issue (airmail) 
Indi vidual (Non-AAPS Members) US$20 per issue (airmail) 
All enquiries about subscriptions and related matters should be addressed to: 
The Editor, African Journal of Political Science, 19 Bodle Avenue, Eastlea, Harare 
P.O. BoxMP 1100, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Tel: (263-4) 251-762-3 Fax: (263-4) 253-709 
E-mail: aapsl @samara.co.zw Website: http://www.aaps.co.zw
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE 
REVUE AFRICAINE DE SCIENCE POLITIQUE 
Volume 5 Number 2 December 2000 
CONTENTS/SOMMAIRE 
Guest Editor's Note 1-4 
Articles 
Adebayo O. Olukoshi 
Economy and Politics in the Nigerian 
Transition 5-29 
Ayo Olukotun 
The Transition and the Media 31-44 
Okechukwu Ibeanu 
Ethnicity and Authoritarianism in Nigeria: Explaining 
the Passing of Authoritarianism in a Multi-Ethnic Society 45-65 
Cyril (Jbi 
Last Card: Can Nigeria Survive Another Transition? 67-86 
Book Review 
John Hollaway, All Poor Together: The African Tragedy 
andBeyond 87-90 
(Reviewed by S. D. McMillan) 
Notes for Contributors 92-93
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF 
POLITICAL SCIENCE 
REVUE AFRICAINE DE 
SCIENCE POLITIQUE 
Volume 5 Number 2 December 2000
African Journal of Political Science 
Revue Africaine de Science Politique 
Volume 5 Number 2 December 2000 
A journal of the African Association of Political Science, is published two times a year (June 
and December). Articles in the AJPS represent neither the views of the African Association 
of Political Science (AAPS) nor its officers. Responsibility for opinions or views expressed, 
and the accuracy of facts presented and published, rests solely with the individual authors 
concerned. 
© African Association of Political Science, December 2000 
Printed by: Print-Source (Pvt.) Ltd, P.O. Box HG 640, Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Design & Layout: Martin Pireyi, P.O. Box CY2303, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Editor: Kwame A. Ninsin 
Editorial Board 
Oyeleye Oyediran—University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria 
Ruth Iyob—University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri, USA 
Patricia McFadden—SAPES Trust, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Onalenna Selolwane—Dept. of Sociology, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana 
Luc Sindjoun—University of Yaounde II, Yaounde, Cameroon 
Eboe Hutchful—Wayne State University, Detroit, USA 
Michael Chege—Centre for African Studies, University of Florida, USA 
Editorial Advisory Board 
Okwudiba Nnoli 
Dani W. Nabudere 
Helmy Sharawi 
Abdoulaye Bathily 
Ibbo Mandaza 
Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja 
L. Adele Jinadu 
Rwekaza Mukandala 
Subscriptions: 
African Institutions US$20 per issue (airmail) 
Non-African Institutions US$25 per issue (airmail) 
Indi vidual (Non-AAPS Members) US$20 per issue (airmail) 
All enquiries about subscriptions and related matters should be addressed to: 
The Editor, African Journal of Political Science, 19 Bodle Avenue, Eastlea, Harare 
P.O. BoxMP 1100, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe 
Tel: (263-4) 251-762-3 Fax: (263-4) 253-709 
E-mail: aapsl @samara.co.zw Website: http://www.aaps.co.zw
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE 
REVUE AFRICAINE DE SCIENCE POLITIQUE 
Volume 5 Number 2 December 2000 
CONTENTS/SOMMAIRE 
Guest Editor's Note 1-4 
Articles 
Adebayo O. Olukoshi 
Economy and Politics in the Nigerian 
Transition 5-29 
Ayo Olukotun 
The Transition and the Media 31-44 
Okechukwu Ibeanu 
Ethnicity and Authoritarianism in Nigeria: Explaining 
the Passing of Authoritarianism in a Multi-Ethnic Society 45-65 
Cyril (Jbi 
Last Card: Can Nigeria Survive Another Transition? 67-86 
Book Review 
John Hollaway, All Poor Together: The African Tragedy 
andBeyond 87-90 
(Reviewed by S. D. McMillan) 
Notes for Contributors 92-93