Theory question 108
Military RuleSection B (answer two questions only from this section)
What were the weakness of the military regime in Nigeria between 1966 and 1975?
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Suspension of the constitution and rule by decrees; no democratic legitimacy.
Abuse of human rights: detention without trial, curtailing press freedom.
Ironsi's Unification Decree (1966) and its crisis.
Ethnic division within the army, leading to counter-coup (July 1966) and the civil war (1967–70).
Corruption of military governors and officials.
Gowon's failure to keep the 1976 handover date (postponed indefinitely in 1974).
Personal rule by governors; disregard for public opinion.
Inflation and economic mismanagement (e.g. cement armada, Udoji awards).
Discredited 1973 census.
Weak accountability; tribunals in place of courts.
Cover the Ironsi and Gowon regimes.