MILITARY RULE IN NIGERIA Lesson Note

Military rule is a system of government in which the armed forces take control of the administration of a country, usually after removing a civilian government.

Under military rule, political power is normally exercised by military officers, often through a military council or similar governing body.

Military governments commonly suspend or modify parts of the constitution, restrict some political activities and govern through decrees or military directives.

Nigeria gained independence from Britain on 1 October 1960 and operated a parliamentary democratic system during the First Republic.

However, political instability, ethnic and regional tensions, electoral disputes and other problems contributed to a military coup on 15 January 1966.

The coup led to the end of the First Republic and the beginning of military rule.

Nigeria subsequently experienced several periods of military government before democratic rule was restored in 1999.

The first military coup took place on 15 January 1966. Major military leaders during this period included:

*Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi (1966)

*General Yakubu Gowon (1966–1975)

*General Murtala Mohammed (1975–1976)

*General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976–1979)

The military handed over power to a civilian government in 1979, marking the beginning of the Second Republic.

The Second Republic ended when the military took power on 31 December 1983. Major military leaders included:

*Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (1983–1985)

*General Ibrahim Babangida (1985–1993)

*Buhari’s government introduced strict measures against corruption and indiscipline.

*Babangida later introduced a political transition programme but annulled the 12 June 1993 presidential election, an event that generated major political controversy.

After Babangida stepped aside in 1993, an interim government was established, but General Sani Abacha took power later that year. Abacha ruled from 1993 to 1998.

After Abacha’s death in 1998, General Abdulsalami Abubakar became Head of State and began a transition programme that resulted in the return to democratic government in 1999.

Several factors contributed to military intervention in Nigerian politics.

Frequent political crises and disagreements among political leaders weakened civilian governments.

Electoral irregularities, violence and disputed elections contributed to political instability.

Perceived corruption among political leaders was one of the reasons used by military officers to justify intervention.

Political competition sometimes became strongly associated with ethnic and regional interests, creating tension within the country.

Some political institutions were not sufficiently strong to manage political disagreements effectively.

Economic difficulties and accusations of poor management were used by military leaders as justification for taking power.

Violence associated with political activities contributed to instability and encouraged military intervention.

Military leaders often claimed that they intervened to restore stability, discipline and order.

Military government has several distinguishing features.

A military government may suspend or modify parts of the existing constitution.

Military governments commonly make laws through decrees or military proclamations.

Political authority tends to be concentrated in the hands of the military leadership.

Political parties may be banned or restricted during military rule.

Some political activities and forms of public participation may be restricted.

Military governors and other officials are generally appointed rather than elected by citizens.

Military governments often operate a highly centralized system of administration.

Decision-making is influenced by the military command structure and hierarchy.

The military government operated through several institutions.

The Supreme Military Council (SMC) was an important decision-making body during some periods of military rule.

It consisted mainly of senior military officers and was headed by the Head of State.

The Federal Executive Council was responsible for assisting the Head of State in making and implementing government policies.

Military governors administered the states on behalf of the federal military government.

The armed forces provided the personnel and organizational structure through which military governments exercised authority.

Despite its limitations, military rule contributed to some developments in Nigeria.

Military governments created additional states to improve administration and bring government closer to the people.

Military administrations increased the number of local government areas as part of efforts to promote grassroots administration.

Various military governments constructed roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.

Some military policies promoted national integration and attempted to reduce excessive regional political competition.

The decision to move the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja was taken under military rule, and Abuja subsequently became the Federal Capital.

Military administrations established or reorganized several government institutions and agencies for national development.

Citizens generally could not choose the military government through elections.

Some civil and political liberties were restricted during periods of military rule.

Political parties were often banned, limiting political competition.

Citizens and institutions had limited opportunities to participate in the law-making process.

Some military administrations were accused of unlawful detention, suppression of opposition and other human-rights violations.

Military governments were generally less directly accountable to citizens than elected governments.

Repeated military coups created uncertainty and interrupted constitutional democratic development.

Military interventions disrupted the development and continuity of democratic institutions.

Military rule had both positive and negative effects on Nigeria.

*Creation of states and local government areas.

*Development of some infrastructure.

*Promotion of national integration.

*Centralized planning of national development.

*Relocation and development of the Federal Capital at Abuja.

*Disruption of democratic government.

*Restrictions on political participation.

*Suspension or modification of constitutional government.

*Restrictions on some fundamental rights.

*Weakening of democratic institutions.

*Repeated political instability caused by military coups.

Nigeria returned to civilian democratic government on 29 May 1999 after the military transition programme under General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Olusegun Obasanjo became the first President of the Fourth Republic after winning the 1999 presidential election.

The return to democracy marked the end of the prolonged period of military government and the beginning of the Fourth Republic.

The transition to democratic government was encouraged by several factors:

SUMMARY

Military rule is a system in which the armed forces take control of government, usually after removing a civilian administration.

Nigeria experienced military rule from 1966 to 1979, 1983 to 1993, and 1993 to 1999, with a short transitional period in 1993.

Military intervention was associated with political instability, electoral problems, corruption, ethnic and regional tensions and other factors. Military governments made contributions such as state creation, infrastructure development and national integration, but they also restricted political participation, weakened democratic institutions and sometimes violated fundamental rights.

Nigeria eventually returned to democratic government in 1999, beginning the Fourth Republic.