The Young League Forum

First Military Rule (1966-1979) The first military coup d’état in Nigeria occurred in 1966 which overthrew the government of Prime Minister Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and President Nnamdi Azikiwe. The coup was led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu . After the coup Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi became the Head of state and the Federal Military Government of Nigeria. On 29 July 1966 Ironsi was overthrew and murdered six months in his regime. Ironsi was succeeded by General Yakubu Gowon , as the head of state. He established a Supreme Military Council. Gowon held power for 9 years until when he was overthrown in a place coup in July, 1975. General Murtala Mohammed succeeded Gowon and the Head of State. his span was cut short, in February 1976, Mohammed was assassinated by Buka Suka Dimka. OlusẹgunỌbasanjọ succeeded Mohammed as head of state. it was Obasanjo that handed power to the elected civilian government of Shehu Shagari/Alex Ekwume. The inauguration...

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....

     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.”   ...