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

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1987-12
Authors
GARBA., MARY Y.
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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.
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Political Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in partial fulfilment for the award of Master of Science degree. Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. December, 1987.
Keywords
MILITARY, INTERVENTIONS, NIGERIAN POLITICS, 1966 - 1979, ANALYSIS, INSTITUTIONAL POLITICIZATION
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