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emphasis in original). Beckett and Young (1997) have termed this political phenomenon
“permanent transition” in the Nigerian context. A vicious cycle occurs between military and
popular rule: the military intervenes when the wastefulness and corruption of neopatrimonial
politics discredits democracy, yet military officers resort to similar tactics and eventually are
forced to restore democracy.
It is impossible to know for certain whether Nigeria’s history with democracy would be
any different had it not possessed oil. It is our assertion that oil certainly has intensified
prebendalism and clientelism and distracted energy of the elites away from establishing
meaningful rules of law and transparent institutions. The celebration in April 2003 of Nigeria’s
first civilian government transition provides some hope that the country has learned from its
errors of the past.