Nemesis
By Charles Oluyori
"Soldiers don't get tied up with affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules" 2 Timothy 2:4-5
Since January 1966 after the first republic when General Aguiyi Ironsi toppled the government of Chief Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and Alhaji Tafawa, there had been continued involvement of the military in the politics of Nigeria.
General Aguiyi Ironsi's government was toppled by General Yakubu Gowon after six months in July 1996,during his nine years reign as the Head of States of Nigeria between 1996 and 1975; the country witnessed a civil war spearheaded by Biafran leader, Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. Gowon's government was toppled in a coup-d'état spearheaded by Late General Murtala Mohammed in July 1975 while in an abortive coup, Murtala was killed by Lt. Col T.Y Dimka just seven months after he ascended the throne in February 13, 1976. General Olusegun Obasanjo, the deputy of Murtala ascended the throne of Head of States in 1976 and in 1979 handed over power to a civilian president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari making him the first military Head of States to conduct an election and hand over power to a civilian.
Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the second republic was the first executive president of Nigeria. His government lasted till December 1983 when it was toppled in a military coup carried out by General Muhammed Buhari who gave his reasons for toppling the government toinclude corruption practices by Shagari's government and hardship faced by thepeople of Nigeria. But in less than two years, Buhari's government was taken over by his Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Ibrahim Babangida who laterbecame the first military president of Nigeria. His regime lasted from August 1985 until August 1993; an eight year rule that ended when he stepped aside fora civilian interim government headed Chief Ernest Shonekan between August 1993 and November 1993. General Sanni Abacha, military Head of States and dictator through a bloodless coup which many have referred to as "Palace coup" took over government from Chief Shonekan, his regime was dominated with injustices, murders, fear and hardship. He ruled for five years from November 1993 until June1998 when he died in a controversial circumstance. General Abdulsalam Abubakar became the Head of States in June 1998 ruling until May 1999. He conducted a presidential election which brought in retired General Olusegun Obasanjo making him the fourth civilian president of Nigeria on May 29th, 1999.
Since 1999 Nigeria has experienced democracy and finally it seems democracy has come to stay. Several military men particularly past military dictators and coup plotters have continually paraded themselves around political parties seeking to rule the country after putting the same country backward for several years. But like the saying goes, nemesis always catches up when you least expects. That is the same riddle that has been going on as people like General Babangida have continued to struggle in what seems like wasted attempts to rule Nigeria, the same for General Buhari whom though has won the hearts of many may never have the opportunity of ruling the country again because he interrupted a government that was elected by through people's choice in his coup of 1983. As good as his intentions may be, he had no right interfering with civilian activities, and he may never be able to fulfill his ambition of sitting in Aso Rock as the president of Nigeria. Babangida with all his maradonic talents, vast wealth and human resources may never sit in Aso Rock again. Past Head of States like Gowon who is still alive today knows that contesting the position of presidency of Nigeria in a democratic system after forcefully taking it some years back may never yield fruit and has therefore divested his power and resources into business and philanthropy. Maybe if Obasanjo hadn't handed over to a civilian in 1979 when he did, he also may not have been favored in his 1999 election that brought him into power as fourth civilian president of Nigeria.
It is good now that Buhari has said he would not be contesting elections again, and Babangida has publicly announced his retirement from politics too. I think it is a move in the right direction. They should become advisers on military and security affairs of this country. The president should be able to consult them on issues of security as it affects the country; they should be able to give back to a country that has given so much to them. It is the country that puts them in the positions they occupy today. If not for Nigeria, maybe they won't be known anywhere today!
With all the military brains we have like Babangida, Buhari, Gowon and the rest of them especially since they have been presidents or Head of States of this country, Nigeria is not suppose to have so much security issues. We have great military brains that have ruled the country at one time or the other. Rather than continuing to dwell on their selfish ambitions they should take up responsibilities of elders, advisers and men of wisdom that can help move this country forward rather than causing insecurity, they should bring security using their expertise.
Everyone is responsible for the task he is given. To whom much is given, much is expected. People should learn to take their duties with diligence. The military has no business interfering with the civilian rule.
"Soldiers don't get tied up with affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules". 2 Timothy 2:4-5
God bless Nigeria.
"Soldiers don't get tied up with affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules" 2 Timothy 2:4-5
Since January 1966 after the first republic when General Aguiyi Ironsi toppled the government of Chief Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and Alhaji Tafawa, there had been continued involvement of the military in the politics of Nigeria.
General Aguiyi Ironsi's government was toppled by General Yakubu Gowon after six months in July 1996,during his nine years reign as the Head of States of Nigeria between 1996 and 1975; the country witnessed a civil war spearheaded by Biafran leader, Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. Gowon's government was toppled in a coup-d'état spearheaded by Late General Murtala Mohammed in July 1975 while in an abortive coup, Murtala was killed by Lt. Col T.Y Dimka just seven months after he ascended the throne in February 13, 1976. General Olusegun Obasanjo, the deputy of Murtala ascended the throne of Head of States in 1976 and in 1979 handed over power to a civilian president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari making him the first military Head of States to conduct an election and hand over power to a civilian.
Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the second republic was the first executive president of Nigeria. His government lasted till December 1983 when it was toppled in a military coup carried out by General Muhammed Buhari who gave his reasons for toppling the government toinclude corruption practices by Shagari's government and hardship faced by thepeople of Nigeria. But in less than two years, Buhari's government was taken over by his Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Ibrahim Babangida who laterbecame the first military president of Nigeria. His regime lasted from August 1985 until August 1993; an eight year rule that ended when he stepped aside fora civilian interim government headed Chief Ernest Shonekan between August 1993 and November 1993. General Sanni Abacha, military Head of States and dictator through a bloodless coup which many have referred to as "Palace coup" took over government from Chief Shonekan, his regime was dominated with injustices, murders, fear and hardship. He ruled for five years from November 1993 until June1998 when he died in a controversial circumstance. General Abdulsalam Abubakar became the Head of States in June 1998 ruling until May 1999. He conducted a presidential election which brought in retired General Olusegun Obasanjo making him the fourth civilian president of Nigeria on May 29th, 1999.
Since 1999 Nigeria has experienced democracy and finally it seems democracy has come to stay. Several military men particularly past military dictators and coup plotters have continually paraded themselves around political parties seeking to rule the country after putting the same country backward for several years. But like the saying goes, nemesis always catches up when you least expects. That is the same riddle that has been going on as people like General Babangida have continued to struggle in what seems like wasted attempts to rule Nigeria, the same for General Buhari whom though has won the hearts of many may never have the opportunity of ruling the country again because he interrupted a government that was elected by through people's choice in his coup of 1983. As good as his intentions may be, he had no right interfering with civilian activities, and he may never be able to fulfill his ambition of sitting in Aso Rock as the president of Nigeria. Babangida with all his maradonic talents, vast wealth and human resources may never sit in Aso Rock again. Past Head of States like Gowon who is still alive today knows that contesting the position of presidency of Nigeria in a democratic system after forcefully taking it some years back may never yield fruit and has therefore divested his power and resources into business and philanthropy. Maybe if Obasanjo hadn't handed over to a civilian in 1979 when he did, he also may not have been favored in his 1999 election that brought him into power as fourth civilian president of Nigeria.
It is good now that Buhari has said he would not be contesting elections again, and Babangida has publicly announced his retirement from politics too. I think it is a move in the right direction. They should become advisers on military and security affairs of this country. The president should be able to consult them on issues of security as it affects the country; they should be able to give back to a country that has given so much to them. It is the country that puts them in the positions they occupy today. If not for Nigeria, maybe they won't be known anywhere today!
With all the military brains we have like Babangida, Buhari, Gowon and the rest of them especially since they have been presidents or Head of States of this country, Nigeria is not suppose to have so much security issues. We have great military brains that have ruled the country at one time or the other. Rather than continuing to dwell on their selfish ambitions they should take up responsibilities of elders, advisers and men of wisdom that can help move this country forward rather than causing insecurity, they should bring security using their expertise.
Everyone is responsible for the task he is given. To whom much is given, much is expected. People should learn to take their duties with diligence. The military has no business interfering with the civilian rule.
"Soldiers don't get tied up with affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules". 2 Timothy 2:4-5
God bless Nigeria.
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