UNESCO CHAIR OF PHILOSOPHY FOR PEACE UNIVERSITAT JAUME I MILITARY INTERVENTION IN NIGERIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM: ITS IMPACT ON DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT (1993-1999) MASTER THESIS Student: Johnson Gbende Faleyimu Supervisor: Dr Jose Angel Ruiz Jimenez Tutor: Dr Irene Comins Mingol Castellón, July 2014 Abstract Key words: Military, intervention, democracy and Nigerian politics A study of literature on civil-military relations in Nigeria reveals a question: why does the military intervene in the politics of some countries but remain under firm civilian control in others? This thesis delves into military intervention in Nigerian Politics and its general impact on democracy (1993-1999). The military exploits its unique and pivotal position by demanding greater institutional autonomy and involvement when the civilian leadership fails. The main purpose of this study is to discourage military intervention in Nigeria politics, and to encourage them to focus their primary assignment of lethal force, which includes use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats against the state. i Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my late parents High Chief J.F Olijogun and Olori Meminat Marian Olijogun ii Acknowledgements My sincere gratitude goes to God and all who contributed to the successful completion of this thesis work. Very special thanks to my supervisor, Dr Jose Angel Ruiz Jimenez of University of Granada, for his brilliant guidance and encouragement-what a wonderful display of wealth of experience-without which this thesis would not have been possible. My profound appreciation goes to the lecturers and staffs of the International Master’s Degree Program in Peace, Conflict and Development studies at the Universitat Jaume I, who gave me all the skills and knowledge that are required to carry out an academic research and other academic endeavours. These thanks would not be complete without mentioning some dear friends, colleagues individuals and my fellow Peace Studies students like, Prize, George, Arie, Matt, Garby, Gabe, Lida, Marissa, Iris, Haruka, Felista, Arely, Silvester, Donaldson, Akudo, Ganiyu Olafimihan, Ganiyu Lawal, Kofo Adeoye, Bimbo Akerele, and Tope Awodigede who contributed immensely both morally and spiritually to the success of this thesis. I also acknowledge the assistance rendered by the following people Mr Segun Ogundele, Mr Aminu Rasak and Mrs Folakemi Oladoja during the field work by providing me with the necessary information and documentation May I use this opportunity to thank Dr. Jennifer Murphy, Dr Fatuma Ahmed, Dr Sidi Omar, Dr Sofia Herrero Rico, Adela Amela, and a host of others for their moral and academic supports during the course of my study at Universitat Jaume I; may God bless and reward you immensely. iii Special thanks to my dearest loving wife (Stefani Aina), and my children for their understanding, they are the brain behind this great achievement. I owe you all, God bless you. Finally, in a more special and respectful way, I wish to thank my parents (High Chief Joseph faleyimu Olijogun and Olori Meninat Marian Olijogun) of blesses memory, for given me a solid educational background that accorded me to this level and my special friends, motivators and my siblings (Adekunle Ojotu, Ojo Ojotu, Oladipo Ojotu, Olawande Faleyimu, Olamosunle Faleyimu and Oladehinde Faleyimu) for the encouragement, love, care, confidence and the faith they exercised in me which motivated me and saw to the successful completion of this thesis work. iv Abbreviations and Acronyms AU: African Union APC: Arewa People’s Congress AFRC: Armed forces Ruling Council CD: Campaign for Democracy DSP: Deputy Superintendent of Police EFCC: Economic and Financial Crime Commission ECOWAS: Economic Community of West Africa ICPC: Independent Corrupt Practice Commission LGO: Lagos Garrison Organization MLP: Mass Literacy Program NCNC: National Convention of Nigeria Citizens ING: Interim National Government NPN: National Party of Nigeria NMF: Nigerian Military Force NNDP: Nigerian National Democratic Party NPC: Northern People Congress OPC: Odua People’s Congress PDP: People’s Democratic Party PRC: Provisional Ruling Council v QONR: Queen’s Own Nigerian Regiment RWFF: Royal West African Frontier Force SDP: Social Democratic Party SMC: Supreme Military Council SSS: State Security Service UBE: Universal Basic Education UN: United Nations WAFF: West African Frontier Force vi Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………… i Dedication………………………………………………………………………… ii Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………. iii Abbreviations and Acronyms …………………………………………………….. .v General Introduction……………………………………………………………… 1 Statement of the Problem………………………………………………………… 5 Research question………………………………………………………………… 8 Objectives of the Study…………………………………………………………… 8 Significance of the study…………………………………………………………. 9 Research Methodology…………………………………………………………… 10 Scope of the Study………………………………………………………………... 11 Limitation of the Study…………………………………………………………… 12 Chapter One: An Overview of Nigeria……………………………. 13 1.0 Background of the Study…………………………………………………….. 13 1.1 What Military Intervention is all about?........................................................... 16 1.2 How can Nigeria stop Military in Politics?..................................................... 21 1.2.1 Good Governance……………………………………………………22 1.2.2 Corruption………………………………………………………….. 23 1.2.3 Political Education…………………………………………………. 24 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….. 26 Chapter Two: Literature Review………………………………….. 27 vii 2.0 Conceptual Clarification of Democracy……………………………………… 27 2.1 The Attractions of Democracy........................................................................... 33 2.2 Democracy and Democratic Failure in Nigeria................................................. 36 2.2.1 Political System ……………………………………………………. 37 2.2.2 Military Intervention……………………………………………….. 38 2.3 The Military and the Political System in Nigeria…………………………….. 42 2.4 Theoretical Framework...................................................................................... 53 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….. 59 Chapter Three: Overview of Military involvement in Nigerian Politics.................................................................................................. 60 3.0 Background to the Nigeria Military................................................................... 60 3.1The Nigerian army during and after Independence............................................ 63 3.2 Chronicling Military Rule in Nigeria………………………………………… 66 3.3 Factors Responsible for Military Rules in Nigeria............................................ 75 Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 83 Chapter Four: The Impact of Military Rule on Nigerian Democracy........... ................................................................................ 84 4.0 Origin of the History......................................................................................... 84 4.1 Issues in Democracy and Democratization in Nigeria...................................... 97 4.2 Corruption and Lack of Good Governance.........................................................97 4.3 Ethnic Sentiments ……………………………………………………………. 109 4.4 Insecurity and Political Violence ...................................................................... 114 4.5 The Role of the Military in a Democratic Nigeria............................................. 116 viii Conclusion............................................................................................128 Future Research.................................................................................. 141 Bibliography........................................................................................ 142 ix 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