SS3 First Term Government Lesson Note – Military Rule in Nigeria

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WEEK:  7

TOPIC: Military Rule in Nigeria:

CONTENT: (a) Military Rule: (i) 1966 – 1975, (ii) 1975 – 1979, (iii) 1983 – 1985, (iv) 1985 – 1993, (v)1993 – 1999.

(b) Features

(c) Causes

(d) Consequences

(e) Structure.

SUB-TOPIC 1: Military Rule in Nigeria between 1966-1999

Military Rule: This is the government controlled by members of the Armed Forces. This could only be achieved through force known as coup de tat. A coup de tat is a violent change of government by the Armed Forces to remove the existing government. Military rule became prevalent after independence in those countries that experienced it.

MILITARY RULE BETEEN 1966 – 1975.

GENERAL J.T.U. AGUIYI-IRONSI (January – July 1966)

The first military coup in Nigeria took place on 15 January 1966, led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, but the then most senior military officer, Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi later took over position of the head of state.

Structure of government under General Ironsi

In his capacity as the head of state, General Ironsi suspended the constitution and dismissed the executive and legislative arms of the federal and state governments. He appointed military governors as sole administrators for the four regions. They were assisted by permanent secretaries. He with the governors constituted the supreme military council (SMC) with power to formulate policies for the whole country. He also had the federal executive council, comprising civilians, to assist him in the execution of policies.

General Ironsi appointed a constitution review commission, under Chief Rotimi Williams and the commission for the review of the unification of the federal and regional civil services, headed by Francis Nwokedi.

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