HISTORY OF MILITARY INTERVENTION AND ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA (1984-1998)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The bedrock for military coups and leadership in Nigeria and many other countries slowly corroded as a result of the pressure mounted on political belief that people of different
social classes, religions, races, etc should live together in a society like Nigeria, Africa, Asia and Latin America, etc, Dudely 1982. The strength of the procedures of the development of an increasingly integrated global economy, a multiple-dimensional interesting capitalist, led to the victory of the forces of capital over the limiting forces of the state. For this reason, the economic consequences for political firmness in such regions of the globe
unavoidably led to pressures for political transformation or change. Military era, like the civilian-led autocratic regimes, got to an increasing degree on the
movement by soldiers away from their enemies either because the enemies are winning, due to agitations from within and the international community,
Alaba 1978.
It became a continuous incident five years aer
independence, not too long aer,
military era become an institution or fixed. Since 1966, when the military
took over power, it has subdued, changing form and time, therefore becoming a standard rather than a place where a rule does not apply. As a system that
was meant to correct every problem, military governments are the same, but in method of operation, they dier significantly, Alaba 1987. Especially, some
are gracious, favorable, others are draconic and some fall in-between. On intervals, and for twenty-eight years, the military called the shots in Nigeria’s
political history; and as a result, professionalism was sent into exile, coups gained ground, careers and lives were destroyed. Importantly, they became part of
the trouble and challenge; thirty -four years ago, that is, in 1966, some army majors and other oicers slaughtered some civilian politicians and senior
military oicers in a coup. In that coup, Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, the first Prime Minister; Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto and Northern Premier;
Chief Festus Okotie Eboh, the Federal Minister of Finance, and Chief Samuel Akintola, the Premier of Western Region, were bitterly and roughly slaughtered.
To add to this, Brigadier, Zakari Maimalari, Colonels Kur Mohammed and Abogo Lagema gave up the ghost. Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu led the coup,
and in his address to the Nation, he stated why they struck. According to him, they interposed to completely delete out corruption, unfair practices by
powerful people and to li Nigeria to the next level.
Though, the first Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and other leading oicials
were slaughtered, the coup was not successful. In Lagos, General Aguiyi
Ironsi, the then highest-ranking military voicer, ended the protest. With some oicers
and Men that showed constant support, Ironsi uncovered the coupists,
and in Kaduna, Nzeogwu was on one limb. With little or no logistics, a fresh supply was stopped, as both Kano and Lagos, where the coup did not survive
denied his orders. Aer several representations and assurances, Nzeogwu surrendered his arms, went to Lagos and was nabbed and detained. Aer
that, Honourable Nwafor Orizu, the Senate president, got in touch with some Ministers and handed power to General Ironsi. Many Months later, there was a
opposing -coup, and in that opposing- coup, General Ironsi together with and LT-Colonel was slayed. Yakubu Gowon, the highest-ranking Northerner, took
over Ironsi. He ruled for nine years, through the civil war and the oil boom, and overthrown in 1975.
Gowon who was way young and lacked experience depended on the civil servants, and they became very strong and powerful. Permanent secretaries
pointed out the harmony while ministers and political appointees watched. With the defeat, Murtala carried outmovement, listed out his top priorities and
assured a hand over date of 1st October 1979. Though, Murtala was murdered in a coup. The leader of the group was Lt. Colonel Bukar sukar Dimka.
