MILITARY INTERVENTIONS IN NIGERIAN POLITICS 1966 – 1979 AN ANALYSIS OP INSTITUTIONAL POLITICIZATION

MILITARY INTERVENTIONS IN NIGERIAN POLITICS 1966 – 1979 AN ANALYSIS OP INSTITUTIONAL POLITICIZATION

Abstract:

This t h e s i s is about m i l i t a r y i n t e r v e n t i o n in p o l i t i c s . Considered an a b e r r a t i o n before 1945, i n s t a n c e s in which the m i l i t a r y ployed an i n c r e a s i n g ly a c t i v e r o l e in p o l i t i c s of Third World c o u n t r i es became widespread a f t e r t h e Second War War. Analysts have posited many reasons to account for m i l i t a ry involvement in p o l i t i c s . I have analysed the Nigerian case w i t h i n t h e framework of p o l i t i c i s a t i o n. The Nigerian M i l i t a r y is a c r e a t i o n of the c o l o n i a l i s t s who used the i n s t i t u t i o n not only to conquer the l o c a l people but a l s o to impose i m p e r i a l r u l e upon them. The militarymon were t r a i n e d and molded in thr B r i t i sh m i l i t a r y t r a d i t i o n s . They were taught to be p o l i t i c a l l y n e u t r a l . Till independence, the Nigerian militarymen were h i g h l y p r o f e s s i o n a l and the ethos of p o l i t i c al n e u t r a l i t y was maintained. Within f i v e y e a r s of independence, the i n s t i t u t i on had become h i g h l y p o l i t i c i s e d . This we i n d i c a t e is the r e s u l t of many i n t e r r e l a t e d f a c t o r s , the most notable being the nature of Nigerian s o c i e t y i t s e l f . P o l i t i ci s a t i o n , it is noted negates some important m i l i t a ry v a l u e s achieved during the process of p r o f e s s i o n a l i n a t i o n. With p o l i t i c a l c r i s e s within the p o l i t y and the i n a b i l i ty of p o l i t i c a l l e a d e r s to resolve them, the m i l i t a r y is o f f e r e d the opportunity to i n t e r v e n e . It struck on. the 15th January 1966. This development only set pace for f u r t h e r p o l i t i c i s a t i o n of the i n s t i t u t i o n r e s u l t i n g in coups and counter-coupa . Although I do not deny the e x i s t e n c e of other e x p l a n a t i o n s for the Nigerian s i t u a t i o n , I am h i g h ly convinced by the a v a i l a b l e evidence t h a t p o l i t i c i s a t i on i s c e n t r a l to understanding of m i l i t a r y i n t e r v e n t i o n in p o l i t i c s of N i g e r i a.

MILITARY INTERVENTIONS IN NIGERIAN POLITICS 1966 – 1979 AN ANALYSIS OP INSTITUTIONAL POLITICIZATION

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