In january of 1966, some igbo army officials staged a coup detat to overthrow the government. Nigeria has therefore been governed for a longer period over thirty years of her independence by the military. It attempts a brief analysis of different coups that took place in the country. University of nigeria, nsukka abstract military rule became dominant feature of government in nigeria only after political independence, especially from january 15th 1966. Focusing on nigeria, today, there are two dominant religious groups in nigeria, islam and christianity. This article examines civilmilitary cooperation under democratic govemancein nigeria. This article examines civil military cooperation under democratic govemancein nigeria.
Cunliffejones is a british journalist who lived in nigeria during the transition from military to. For example the obas of the south west of nigeria, the. 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 aguiyiironsi was succeeded by general yakubu gowon, who. This explicates the use of force rather than dialogue in the suppression of dissent in odi, and zakibiam, disobedience of the court orders, closure of media. The role of the military in politics has attracted the attention of political scientists all over the world. The role of the military in the nigerian politics has. Since then, military rule has been a recurring phenomenon in nigeria. There have been a large number of successful and failed military coups in nigeria since the countrys independence from the british empire in 1960. An introduction to african politics, this course will provide for its participants a general survey of the main issues regarding politics in the continent. It was the military that had dominated the politics of precolonial africa and influenced the continents history at different times. The military succeeded in the aspect of creating new states and local councils. Tribunal invites bayelsas deputy govnor over alleged certificate forgery the nation, nigeria 19. Nigeria is a federal republic with a presidential system. However, the futility of such legislation cannot be overemphasized.
More so, the relationship is complex because of the intricacies inherent in the politicization of religion. Ap comparative government and politics nigeria briefing paper. Oct 10, 2016 nigerias first military junta began following the 1966 nigerian coup detat which overthrew prime minister alhaji sir abubakar tafawa balewa. In most developing countries, there is a disruption of the civil military equilibrium usually assumed in liberal democracies. Military withdrawal from politics in nigeria international political.
It is very difficult, if at all possible, to find in a polity. General elections held in february 1999 marked the end of 15 years of military rule and the beginning of civilian rule based on a multiparty democracy. The military history of nigeria since the colonial rule began precisely on the 1 st october 1966. Many scholars have presented various suggestions and arguments on ways of keeping the arm force out of politics including. With a restoration of democracy, nigerians are very much determined to sustain it and make the future generation proud to be a part of this great nation. Nigeria became an independent country in october 1 st 1960 after about a century occupation by the british colonial masters.
The six year mistakes of the first republic politicians invited the military to interfere in governance after more than a total of six decades of colonial misrule rodney, 1974. Whether your country is democratic or totalitarian, you can still get the military forces involved in politics. In the impact of military rule on nigerias administration, eds. The military and the challenge of democratic consolidation. The constitution provides for a separation of powers among the three branches of government. Political transition, election, democracy, military, nigeria. Reasons for military intervention in nigerian politics. The nature and results of military coups by direct or indirect military intervention are different. The history of the nigerian army and the implications for the future of nigeria a thesis presented to the faculty of the u. Military rule, political regime in which the military as an organization holds a preponderance of power.
The grant of independence to nigeria was a milestone in the political history of the country. Ethnicity, war and military politics in nigeria springerlink. Pdf civilmilitary relations in a democratic nigeria gani. Sani abacha military died of heart attack on june 8, 1998. The role of the military 76 he states further, that the characteristics of military law includes the following. Instability and military intervention in politics in the periphery. Following the 1966 military coup in nigeria, ethiopia also experienced interventions of military in its history in the 1974 at large.
It was then possible to restore the democratic model for a couple of years in 1978. Nigeria is now enjoying the longest period of civilian rule since independence in 1960. Prevention in war time, acts or omissions, capable of. 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. Nigerian government and politics under military rule, 196679, edited by. Causes of military intervention and prevention in nigeria. The military rulership affects the executive, legislature, the judiciary and the civil society. Here, are some ways by which the military may be kept out of politics. Sep 10, 2014 us politics business tech science opinion the guardian view. That the military is some kind of electoral college in nigeria is evident in the role it played in installing obasanjo, a retired general, as president of nigeria, with nary regard for the. Johnson aguiyiironsi was placed in charge of the new military government.
When the wai was extended to journalists and others not responsible for the social. Criminalization of acts or omissions which ordinarily in civil life would at worst amount to near breaches of contract or moral obligation, b. It intends to brqadly conceptualize the constituents ofcivilmilitary relations, identify the various types and nature ofivilmilitary relations, ascertain. Pdf the paper traces the evolution of the influence of the military governance in nigeria on the development of managerial elite. The military and the challenge of democratic consolidation in. From a keen observation of the contemporary nigerian government, it can be observed that we are still being governed by military men in that they still call the shots in our contemporary politics. This is a way of justifying the underlying thesis of this. Nigerias militarypolitical complex punch newspapers. Military interventions in the nigerian politics international journal. Several dominant themes in nigerian history are essential for understanding contemporary nigerian politics and society. National integration was promoted by way of introducing national youth service corps.
Yes, i know youd want to keep this for offline use, so weve created the military rule in nigeria pdf file. Military intervention in nigerian politics searchlight on the nigerian army from january 15, 1966 to may 29, 1999 and civilian and military politicians in nigeria by ajisola ewuola, ajis ajet. Essay on the role of the military in nigeria politics. Military and politics in nigeria the group of army officers involved in the military take over of janua ry 15, 1966, consisted of mostly southeastern igbo officers including major chukuma kaduna. Cunliffejones is a british journalist who lived in nigeria during the transition from military to civilian rule at the end of the. Areas covered range from political system types, political economies, and political cultures of diverse. The country was at its infantile stage and was still trying to adapt to. The aim of the coup was to establish a strong, unified and prosperous nation, free from corruption and internal strife. It intends to brqadly conceptualize the constituents ofcivil military relations, identify the various types and nature ofivil military relations, ascertain.
The political leadership of nigeria from 1966 till now shifts between the military and the civilian wings of this clique directly or indirectly. This i will call the cosmology of the military in nigeria politics. Members of the army killed balewa, bello, akintola, and some senior officers. Civilmilitary relations since independence in 1960, nigerias unstable political history can be characterized by a series of military dictatorships interspersed with brief interludes of limited democracy and civilian rule. The term military rule as used here is synonymous with military regime and refers to a subtype of authoritarian regime for most of human history, attaching military to rule would have been redundant, because almost all political regimes in largescale societies of the premodern. Top 5 reasons for military intervention in nigerian politics. Army command and general staff college in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree master of military art and science general studies by fredrick c. It is also interesting to note that the first colonial. The political economy of militarization in nigeria jstor.
Mar 29, 2017 from a keen observation of the contemporary nigerian government, it can be observed that we are still being governed by military men in that they still call the shots in our contemporary politics. Nigerian military juntas of 196679 and 198399 wikipedia. The outcome of the halfhearted and illfated coup was a change of political balance in the country. The role of the military in the nigerian politics has generated a lot of heated debates. Hence, this paper shall explicate on the contributions of both the military and the civilian leadership class that has managed and directed the affairs of the country since independence to the growth and institutionalisation of corruption in nigeria. Jun 02, 2014 many scholars have presented various suggestions and arguments on ways of keeping the arm force out of politics including overcoming coups in nigeria politics. Us politics business tech science opinion the guardian view. These difficulties have hindered the disengagement efforts of the various nigerian military. After nigeria gained independence in the year 1960, the country experienced its first military coup in the year 1966.
History of democracy in nigeria and when did nigeria became a. This period witnessed the consolidation of political gains made during the colonial era. Apc reveals what orji kalus release will do for igbos politics nigeria 12. The colonial era until 1960, post independence legislation 19601966, the military era 19661999. The role of the military in the nigerian politics has generated a. The civil war then broke out in 1967 and lasted all through 1970. It identifies two generations of leadership elite that evolved in nigeria prior to the military inroad into politics. Thus providing nigeria with a cheqeured history with political transitions from civilian to military, military to military, military to civilian and civilian to civilian. The intervention of military in the political scene of nigeria was not totally a surprise to most political observers and thinkers. Pdf military intervention in the nigerian politics and its impact on. The federal government of nigeria is composed of three distinct branches. How much should nigeria spend on the military and what level of military force is adequate. Military and politics in nigeria the group of army officers involved in the military take over of janua ry 15, 1966, consisted of mostly southeastern igbo.
Political leadership and corruption in nigeria since 1960. This boundary defines where military power begins and ends in terms of statutory functions, roles and activities. History of democracy in nigeria and when did nigeria. It is also in 18 chapters, and delves into the concept of man as political animal, the origin of military forces, evil inherent in military dabbling into politics, and then. The values and norms imbibe manifests in the practice of the current democracy. First, the spread of islam, predominantly in the north but later in southwestern nigeria as well, began a. Politics from the viewpoint of the typical african politician is seen as a profession where one could enrich himself at the expense and disadvantage of the poor people and so when that happens, and the military is compelled to interfere in the body politics of a state, the people tend to give support to them. The most vulnerable places of military rule have been latin america, the middle east and the newly independent countries of africa and. Unfortunately the military struck in january 16 1966 and ruled the country for over 30 years.
The relationship between politics and religion is intimate because there is always a point of convergence. Buhari justified his coup and subsequent actions by citing the troubles of the second republic and the declining economy. Why military rule should be discouraged in african politics. Nigerian government and politics under military rule, 196679. Since 1966, the northern political leaders have come to view the military as the military wing of the geoethnomilitaryrulingclique. Abacha is believed to have been instrumental in both the 1983 and the 1985 coups, and was babangidas defense minister. The impact of military rule on democracy in nigeria. The regime declared a war against indiscipline wai, which resulted in the arrest, detention, and jailing of a number of politicians. All of these totaled 29 years of military rule in nigeria. Military rule became dominant feature of government in nigeria only after political independence, especially from. A military coup is the violent or nonviolent overthrow of an existing political regime by the military. Between 1966 and 1999 the army held power in nigeria without interruption apart from a shortlived return to democracy. Military, politics and public administration in nigeria. Many scholars have presented various suggestions and arguments on ways of keeping the arm force out of politics including overcoming coups in nigeria politics.
The future of nigerian politics lies in tolerating civilian governance. For most of human history, attaching military to rule would have been. Pdf civilmilitary relations in a democratic nigeria. Shonekans rule was the shortest in history, lasting less than 3 months. In 1983, the military again truncated the nigerian civilian rule and ruled again till 1999. They range from personal grievances of civilian regimes to the political and economic sabotage of civilian government. 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.
The paper traces the evolution of the influence of the military governance in nigeria on the development of managerial elite. The reasons for military interventions in nigeria politics are as varied as they are in complexity. In most developing countries, there is a disruption of the civilmilitary equilibrium usually assumed in liberal democracies. Military intervention in the nigerian politics and its. Using military leadership theory, the paper discusses how the military establishment engaged in strategic and tactical management of some sectors of the country, and how their beliefs influenced the development of different types of managerial elite in nigerias economy at different eras in the countrys history. In liberal tradition, the military is insulated from politics and subject to civilian control. Nigerias first military junta began following the 1966 nigerian coup detat which overthrew prime minister alhaji sir abubakar tafawa balewa.
Failure of the elections conducted by the civilian government in 1965 and 1983 brought about the military intervention. The term military rule as used here is synonymous with military regime and refers to a subtype of authoritarian regime. Military intervention in politics is a very common problem faced by developed and developing countries. Sep 20, 2017 that the military is some kind of electoral college in nigeria is evident in the role it played in installing obasanjo, a retired general, as president of nigeria, with nary regard for the. The military rule in nigeria clamped corruption to an extent, initiated massorientation programmes such as ofn, defri, nde, among others. Daily updates of everything that you need know about what is going on in the military community and abroad including military gear and equipment, breaking news, international news and more. The concept of civilmilitary relations connotes a dynamic interaction between military 0 and the many civil sectors of the state as defined by a boundary. Pdf the six year mistakes of the first republic politicians invited the military to interfere in governance after more than a total of six decades. Nigerias flag consists of three equal vertical bands of green, white, and green. Pdf the impact of military rule on democracy in nigeria. They might have putoff the military uniform, but they still influence present political decisions today in nigeria.