Luckham, a comparative typology of civilmilitary interactions, government and opposition 6, 1 winter 1971. Nigerias nascent democracy got off to a shaky start yesterday after the announcement that olusegun obasanjo had. Download fulltext pdf download fulltext pdf the impact of military rule on democracy in nigeria article pdf available december 2012 with 51,583 reads. The first military coup in nigeria took place on january 15, 1966. Nigeria became an independent country in october 1 st 1960 after about a century occupation by the british colonial masters. Its last period of military rule ended in 1999 following the sudden death of former dictator sani abacha in 1998. This day must rank second only to 1 october 1960 the day of our national independence. The militarys poor human rights record has had a debilitating impact on effectiveness. As you all know, i was the head of state of the republic of biafra, fought the civil war for nearly three years, and went into years exile in the ivory coast, where i began to understand french a little bit. During this regime and you can just wake up to hear that a new head of state had emerged.
Nigerias military decrees this page includes many of the important decrees issued by nigerias military regimes between 1966 and 1999. More than any other regime in nigerias history, the babangida regime has. Nov 30, 2016 military rule and the republic of biafra. Various juntas have seized control of the country and ruled it through most of its history. Personnel are undermotivated due to low pay, poor welfare services and bleak postservice prospects. Eventually, there were so many riots that a military coup occurred in 1966. The impact of military rule on nigerias nation building. The first two aids cases in nigeria was diagnosed in 1985 and reported in 1986 in lagos one of which was a young female sex worker aged years from one of the west african countries nasidi and harry, 2006. Throughout the 33 years of military rule in nigeria, coup detat was the order of the day, governments were overthrown, political leaders assassinated and oppositions silenced. Of course, nigerias independence meant it had to try to unify the nation, which proved difficult due to its extreme diversity in languages, religion, culture and politics.
This study is an account of nigerian foreign policy from 19661999, thirtythree years of military rule punctuated by the quadrennial of shehu shagaris civilian interregnum of 19791983. The constitution drafting initiatives embarked by the various military regimes were mainly aimed at legitimising the military in power. Nigeria has had long years of military rule and this eroded the democratic culture of dialogue and consensus building. Nigerias battle with boko haram council on foreign. Pdf the impact of military rule on democracy in nigeria. Thus, from nigerias independence to december 1999, civilians ruled from 1960 1966, 1979 1983, august to november 1993, and since may 1999, making a total of approximately ten years. History of military rule in nigeria pdf summary yes, i know youd want to keep this for offline use, so weve created the military rule in nigeria pdf file.
To them, nigeria has taught the world the difference between democracy and civil rule. Akwa ibom state was carved out of cross river state, and kastina state. In 2016, declining oil revenue led to nigerias first recession in more than 25 years. Nigeria has recorded remarkable success in democracy ndoma. The united states designated boko haram a foreign terrorist organization in late 20, but at times washington has withheld military assistance pdf out of concern over nigerias. The military succeeded in the aspect of creating new states and local councils.
Nigeria s nascent democracy got off to a shaky start yesterday after the announcement that olusegun obasanjo had. The impact of military rule on democracy in nigeria 287 military rule in africa at the end of the colonialism in africa, it was natural, that the political culture of the colonial. Section 3 provided that the federal military government has the power to make laws for the peace, order and government of nigeria. In the impact of military rule on nigerias administration, eds. A separatist movement later formed the republic of biafra in 1967 which was led by odumegwu ojukwu, leading to the threeyear nigerian civil war. Nigeria has been governed for a longer period by the military junta than by civilian rule after her independence in 1960. The regime declared a war against indiscipline wai, which resulted in the arrest, detention, and jailing of a number of politicians.
This is how the 36 states were created pulse nigeria. Military intervention in the nigerian politics and its. In october 1979, after more than years of military rule, nigeria was returned to democratic rule. Military coups in africathe african neocolonialism that. Nigerian foreign policy under military rule, 19661999 by. Military rule are noted for violating fundamental human rights. Africa has been the focus of nigerias foreign policy for many years, but at the african union 28th summit in january, the country failed to secure any leadership position in the body. It is instructive to note that the era of military rule can only end with good. Military politicians in power from january 15, 1966 until 1999 destroyed nigerias economy, ruined the currency, desecrated the civil service which was the best on the continent then and killed. Nigerias militarized democracy faces test in elections the.
The national party of nigeria emerged victorious in the presidential election and alhaji shehu aliyu shagari was elected the first executive president. Nigeria and the ruins of military rule the guardian. The military style of coming into power negates the principle of. A group of nigerian scholars, journalists and former civil servants predominantly.
British influence in the region began with the prohibition of slave trade to british subjects in 1807. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list though i would be happy to add to it. Buhari justified his coup and subsequent actions by citing the troubles of the second republic and the declining economy. Pdf from military rule to constitutional government. Nigeria, and sudan as evidence of the consequences of intransigent military. The 1966 coups and the beginning of military rule, 196667 the first republic came to an end.
In contrast, by may 1999, the military had ruled nigeria for approximately thirty years. Listed below are the past military rulers and their years of reign in nigeria military rule 19661979 general johnson thomas aguiyiironsi. It is scheduled to terminate with a handover of power to a civilian president on 1 october 1998. Historical research letter issn 22243178 paper issn 22250964 online vol. When the wai was extended to journalists and others not responsible for the social. Instead, they establish military rule, led by either a single military strongman or a junta representing the of. Measures that could be taken to prevent military intervention in nigeria. Before president obasanjo officially took office at gmt his predecessor, in military uniform, addressed the crowds. Instability and military intervention in politics in the periphery. The person in power at that time was president nnamdi azikiwe, while. Nigerian history a platform for nigerias social,political and economic history. Eleven years later, under the military rule of gen.
Military rule in nigeria first started on january 15, 1966, when a group or army officers overthrew the npcnndp government and killed many of the countrys political rulers. Nordlinger estimates the average lifespan of military regimes at five years. No respect for the rule of law since the military is conducted without a constitution. This is the fourth time the 72yearold muslim northerner has run for president since the end of military rule in nigeria in 1999. Starting from january 1966 to october 1979 and december 1983 to may 1999, the military has ruled the country for about 30 years. Although military rule has become less common during the past two decades, the military still governed 19% of the worlds countries in the. His rule was the longest serving in peacetime and his administration typified the military dictatorships of the 20th century. Nigerias battle with boko haram council on foreign relations. Nigeria has recorded remarkable success in democracy. But the transition programme is justifiably viewed with scepticism by many nigerians and large sections of the international community. After 15 years of military rule today is a day of promise for a great future. Nigerias militarized democracy faces a test at the polls.
Oct 10, 2016 nigerias first military junta began following the 1966 nigerian coup detat which overthrew prime minister alhaji sir abubakar tafawa balewa. Nigeria ends 15 years of military rule the independent. The coup was carried out by young officers in the nigerian army, and it was also a boldly one, making it the first bloody coup in the history of the country. Major general johnson aguiyiironsi was made the head of the federal military government of nigeria, but was soon overthrown and murdered in a coup in july of the same year. For about 91 years 18511960 including the amalgamation of southern and northern protectorates in 1914. Babangida promised a return of democracy when he seized power, but he ruled nigeria for eight years, when he temporarily handed power to the interim head of state ernest shonekan in 1993 in a move towards democratization. Buhari ruled for two years, until the 1985 nigerian coup detat, when he was. Its southern coast is on the gulf of guinea in the atlantic ocean. The military in nigeria have played a major role in the countrys history since independence.
Apr 01, 2015 this is the fourth time the 72yearold muslim northerner has run for president since the end of military rule in nigeria in 1999. Nigerias militarized democracy faces test in elections. Pdf the paper seeks to explain the rationale of the militarize dispositions of. As you all know, i was the head of state of the republic of biafra, fought the civil war for nearly three years, and went into years exile in the ivory coast, where i began to understand french a. The problem, however, was that although military officers accepted this rationale, military rule usually became selfsustaining. Nigerian military juntas of 196679 and 198399 wikipedia. The military history of nigeria since the colonial rule began precisely on the 1 st october 1966. The news of this first aids case sent panic, doubt and disbelief to the whole nation as aids was perceived as the disease of american. Nigeria, which transitioned from military to civilian rule in 1999, ranked for years among the top suppliers of u. May 29, 20 home news nigeria has recorded remarkable success in. The challenge of military reform crisis group africa report n237, 6 june 2016 page ii operations, somewhat outdated. In its 36 years as an independent state, nigeria has had seven military rulers. The nigerian military juntas of 196679 and 198399 were a pair of military dictatorships in.
The first military coup in nigeria january 15, 1966 coup. Written by waidi adebayo january 15, 2016 january 15, 2017. The parade ending years of military rule was organized by a young colonel, abdusalam abubakar. In an effort to justify the overthrow of the government one african officer is reputed to have claimed that a military take over and rule by officers never constitutes. Colonial nigeria was the era in the history of nigeria when the region of west africa was ruled by great britain in from the midnineteenth century until 1960, when nigeria achieved independence. Monitoring participation of women in politics in nigeria paper presented by mrs. The military and the challenge of democratic consolidation. Nigeria has therefore been governed for a longer period over thirty years of her independence by the military.
Nigerias first military junta began following the 1966 nigerian coup detat which. Nigeria and the ruins of military rule the guardian nigeria. The management of transition to civil rule by the military in nigeria. Military regimes and nigerias economic development, 19661999. Thus, from nigeria s independence to december 1999, civilians ruled from 1960 1966, 1979 1983, august to november 1993, and since may 1999, making a total of approximately ten years. Nigeria is a nation with a chequered history of democratic rule. Critical analysis of nigerian political history showed that nigeria state did not start with democratic rule.
Nigeria first became a republic in 1963, but succumbed to military rule which was led by major kaduna nzeogwu and his other accomplice. Britain annexed lagos in 1861 and established the oil river protectorate in 1884. Feb 05, 2015 historical research letter issn 22243178 paper issn 22250964 online vol. Oloyede oluyemi national bureau of statistics nbs, abuja, nigeria abstract nigeria has been recording low participation of women in both elective and appointive positions. Military rule as a form of autocratic governance can mean either rule by a military.
Buhari is a slim, fit, bespectacled, nononsense man, who always. Nigeria borders niger in the north, chad in the northeast, cameroon in the east, and benin in the west. The country was at its infantile stage and was still trying to adapt to. The impact of military rule on democracy in nigeria 287 military rule in africa at the end of the colonialism in africa, it was natural, that the political culture of the colonialist had been. Nigerian government and politics under military rule, 19661979. Nigerias military government has embarked on a transition programme from military rule to civilian democracy. Although some recovery progress was evident by 2018, many nigerian citizens did not see relief, and the country earned the unenviable distinction that year of having the most people in extreme poverty in the world. The impact of military rule on democracy in nigeria.
It gave the newly appointed regional military governors power to only legislate on matters in the concurrent list and with the prior consent of the fmg. The military and the challenge of democratic consolidation in. Unfortunately the military struck in january 16 1966 and ruled the country for over 30 years. Military coups in africathe african neocolonialism.