The commission that conducted elections that ushered in the Fourth Republic in Nigeria is

Analyze the question: The question asks which electoral body conducted the elections that began the Fourth Republic. The Fourth Republic started on 29 May 1999, so we need the commission that ran the 1998-1999 transition elections.

Explain the concept: Nigeria has had different electoral bodies across its republics:

• Federal Electoral Commission (FEC): 1958-1960s, First Republic
• FEDECO (Federal Electoral Commission): Second Republic, 1979 and 1983 elections
• NECON (National Electoral Commission of Nigeria): Third Republic attempt, 1993 elections (the June 12 election)
• NEC (National Electoral Commission): the body under Babangida's transition in 1989-1992, before NECON
• INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission): set up in 1998 under General Abdulsalami Abubakar's transition programme

Step-by-step solution:

1. The Fourth Republic began in May 1999 after military rule.
2. General Abdulsalami Abubakar's government created INEC in 1998 to run the transition elections (local government, state, National Assembly and presidential elections).
3. INEC conducted the 1999 presidential election, which Olusegun Obasanjo won.
4. FEDECO belongs to the Second Republic (1979-83), and NECON to the aborted Third Republic (1993). NEC was the earlier body of the Babangida era.

Correct answer: A. INEC

Tip: Match the commission to its republic using this order:

• FEDECO → Second Republic (1979)
• NEC/NECON → Third Republic (Babangida era, 1993)
• INEC → Fourth Republic (1999 to date)

Remember "I" for "Independent" and "1999" (the Fourth Republic) to link INEC to the present democratic era.