Account for the coming of the Military into Nigerian politics in 1966?
Explanation
The following reasons were responsible for the military incursion into Nigerian politics in 1966:
(i) Politicization of the army: The army was highly politicised. Promotion was no more based on merits, but the issue of tribe and politics played a vital role in this regard. Politicians had to use the army to achieve selfish ends.
(ii) Political parties were regionalised: One of the reasons claimed by the military for a take-over of government was regionally based political parties. For e.g. NCNC for the Eastern region, NPC for the North and A.G. for the West. Recognition and support for the parties were obtained from the ethnic groups based in the regions. It should be of note that none of the parties had a national support.
(iii) Mismanagement of the economy: Civilians were accused of messing up the economy of the country. Projects that were not viable were embarked upon, making it possible for avenues of money-making to come to light and at the same time jeopardising the economy of the country. The army claimed to have come in to remedy the wrongs committed by the civilian government.
(iv) Bad and ill-conceived administration: Bad administration coupled with bad leadership of the first Republic was one of the factors for the military intervention.
(v) Corruption, tribalism, nepotism; There was the allegation of mass looting of public fund Wealth was acquired illegally and tribalism and nepotism played key roles in appointments, promotion of civil servants, etc.
(vi) Influence of some foreign powers; It was alleged that most of the coups that took place in Africa, including Nigeria, had some foreign connections. This is done because most of these foreign powers would want a government that they can manipulate to their own advantage. Most African coups also influenced that of Nigeria e.g. the 1963 January 13 coup in Togo in which President Sylvanus Olympio was assassinated, Egypt in 1952 when Colonel Abdel Nasser removed King Farouk from power.
(vii) Competition among ethnic groups: This was made possible especially when the politics of the first Republic was seen as one of ethnicity. This therefore, produced unhealthy rivalry among the three major tribes as to which would dominate or control the centre. The army was attracted to halt this trend which can break the country apart.