Military Intervention in Nigerian Politics

This chapter interrogates military intervention in Nigerian politics. This chapter historicizes the various military incursion in Nigeria from the post-independence era and gives an analysis of coup d’état that took place in the country. Using a hybrid of socio-economic development theory and organizational formal theory, this chapter observes that the deteriorated economic conditions increase the choice of military intervention. Similarly, the weak political institutions and low political culture have resulted to legitimacy crisis. This chapter argues that the cohesive nature of the military institution and the stronger military resources, either as percent of state resources or relative to the national economy encourage military interregnum. Relying on the secondary source, and the use of discourse analysis, this chapter discusses an historical overview of military intervention in Nigeria and adduces reasons in support of military intervention. This chapter further argues that the kleptomania of the military government has posed security threats and gave rise to economic dislocation, while the judiciary has been subjugated. This chapter therefore concludes that the prolonged stay of the military institution in government has adversely affected the citizens and the Nigerian economy, and has eroded the professionalism of the military institution. It concludes with a recommendation that the military should avoid the temptation of getting involved in government, but rather, concentrate on their traditional role of protecting the territorial integrity of the state.