The Babangida transition programme to civil rule officially started in

General Ibrahim Babangida seized power through a military coup on 27 August 1985. His administration subsequently launched a transition programme to return Nigeria to civilian rule. This transition programme officially started in 1987 with the establishment of the Political Bureau, which was tasked with consulting Nigerians on the appropriate political framework for the country.

Key milestones in the Babangida transition programme included:

• 1987: The Political Bureau submitted its report, and the transition programme was formally launched.
• 1989: The ban on political activities was lifted, and two government-created political parties were established - the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC).
• 1990-1992: Local government, gubernatorial, and legislative elections were held.
• 12 June 1993: The presidential election was held but subsequently annulled, effectively aborting the transition.

Note that 1985 was when Babangida took power (not when the transition started), and 1983 was when the Buhari regime came to power. The transition programme itself was formally launched in 1987.