MILITARY RULE AND POLITICAL TRANSITION IN NIGERIA AN APPRAISAL OF ABACHA REGIME

ABSTRACT

This study analyzes military rule and the political transition to democracy in Nigeria. It enquires into how military intervenes in the Nigerian politics in the recent time. The study also examines how corruption induces military intervention in Nigerian politics due to the embezzlement of public funds by our political leaders as well as mismanagement of government properties.

This study looks at the major challenges in Nigeria rule so as to establish the gap in the existing literature by examining the roles played by ethno-political organizations in the country and also the activities of some ethnic militias like OPC in the West, Arewa in the North and Youth organizations in the south.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: General Introduction

1.1

Background of the Study

1.2

Statement of the Problem

1.3

Objectives of the Study

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1.4

Significance of the Study

1.5

Literature Review

–

1.6

Theoretical Framework

–

1.7

Hypotheses –

–

–

1.8

Method of Data Collection

1.9

Limitation of the Study

–

1.10

Definition of Terms

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Chapter Two: Military Intervention in Nigerian Politics

2.1 The major causes of military intervention in Nigerian

Politics

2.2

The Establishment of the Nigeria Military

2.3

The Military and Political Transition

Chapter Three: Ethno-Political Organizations formed in Different

Parts of the Country

3.1 Roles played by Ethno-Political Organization formed in

different parts of the Country

3.2 Ethno-Political Organization in Nigeria: An Ethno-Regional

Profile

3.3 Ethno-Political Organizations and Phases of Transition –

Chapter Four: Nigeria’s Transition

4.1 The Prospects and Challenges in

Democratic Rule in Nigeria

4.2 A Structuralist History of Transitions to Democracy in

Nigeria

4.3 Ethnic Politics in Nigeria

Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1

Summary –

5.2

Conclusion –

5.3

Recommendation –

Bibliography –

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Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

In this study, I examined the relationship between ethno political organizations and the transition from military rule to civilian rule (democracy) in Nigeria between 1993 and 1998. I also inquire into both how ethno political organizations affected the process of democratization and how the process, in turn, influenced their roles in politics generally, and in exacerbating or ameliorating political conflicts.

Ethno political organizations are pan ethnic formations serving or out porting to serve the political interest of their members, their co-ethnics and ethnic homelands. They could be seen as specific movement organisations pursuing more diffuse and generalized ethnic interests. The political role of ethnic organisations has been well documented by observers of Nigerian politics.

In fact, by the 1920s southern Nigeria was awash with such organizations with immediate and remote political aims, taking their names from respective communities and clans of their members. Recognising their incipient political aspiration, a 1935 colonial report described them as young men‟s club

MILITARY RULE AND POLITICAL TRANSITION IN NIGERIA AN APPRAISAL OF ABACHA REGIME