COUP D’ÉTAT

COUP D’ ÉTAT
     According to Shively (2005: 187), “the most dramatic alternative to democratic government is military government, in which a group of officers use their troops to take over the governmental apparatus and run it themselves.” Andrew Heywood in his major work, Politics asked thus: when does the military seize power? This occurs when successful coup d’état happens, he answered.
      Military coup has been defined by many scholars and analysts in different ways although, the meaning remains the same. Heywood (2007; 411) views it as “a sudden and forcible seizure of government power through illegal and unconstitutional action.” It can be defined as an illegal or unconstitutional means of overthrowing existing government by a section of the armed forces. Ugwuanyi (2008:37) views military coup as “illegal, forceful and often violent change of government by the military.”
    Hence, military coup can be successful and unsuccessful or abortive. The first military coup in Africa occurred in Egypt (North Africa) in 1952, followed by Togo (West Africa) in 1963, Benin Republic in 1965, Ghana and Nigeria in 1966 respectively.
     Despite its illegality, Heywood established that military coup has become the principle device for bringing about the transition of government power from one group of leaders to the next. He attributed military coup to particular circumstances like:
1.Economic backwardness
2.Loss of legitimacy by civilian rulers
3.Conflict between the military and the government
4.A favourable international contact.
List of Military coups d’état in Nigeria
     The first military coup in Nigeria occurred on the 15th of January 1966. The coup was led by Major Kaduna Chukwuma Nzeogwu. The coup was very bloody that some analysts termed 1966 Nigeria revolution. In that coup, many prominent Nigerians were killed. Examples of those who were killed include; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Prime Minister, Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and premier of Northern Nigeria, Okotie Eboh the Federal Finance Minister, S.l. Akintola the premier of western region and other prominent personalities.
      The second military coup was led by Murtala Mohammed. The coup occurred on July 29, 1966 which led to the killing of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi who was the head of state and which led to the installment of Lt. Col Yakubu Gowon.
     The third military coup in Nigeria happened on July 29, 1975 exactly nine years of Gowon administration. The coup was led by Murtala Mohammed for second time and it was successful.
     The fourth military coup in Nigeria was led by Col. Buka Dimka. It occurred on February 13, 1976.
     The fifth military coup in Nigeria happened in the year 1983 and it was led by Major General Mohammadu Buhari and it was successful.
    The sixth military coup occurred on August 27, 1985 and it was led by Major General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida and it was successful.
    The seventh military coup in Nigeria was led by Mamman Vatsa but was not successful which occurred in 1986
     The eighth military coup which happened on April 22, 1990 was not successful. It was led by Major Gideon Orkar.