More Notes for POL 126

THE ROLE OF THE MILITARY IN THE POST INDEPENDENCE ERA

        After independence in Nigeria, when the civilian government was getting out of hand, the military took over with Major Aguinyi Ironsin as its first head of state on January 15, 1966. During his regime of one hundred and ninety-four (194) days, he promulgated series of decrees which affected the press, one of such decrees was Decree no.2 ‘’circulation of newspapers.’’ The press freedom was infrinched due to this decree. He did not stop at that as he went forward to introducing Decree 34, this decree terminated the federal system of government in replacement of the unitary system. He was assassinated after his 194 days in power.

           On august 1, Yakubu Gowon took over as the youngest head of state due to Ironsin’s assassination. In his regime, the civil war broke out due to strength and fierceness of the ethnic tension that existed and lasted for three years. He promulgated Emergency decree of 1966 which led to unwarranted arrest and detention of media practitioners. He also promulgated the decree ‘’Newspaper prohibition of circulation,’’ which restricted newspaper companies from production and circulation of article which said negative things about the government.

           General MutalaMuhammed went into office as head of state in 1975. He achieved a lot during his short stay in power. He made Nigeria a neutral country by evaluating the country’s foreign policy. He was assassinated on February 13, 1976 at the age 37. His successor was OlusegunObasanjo. Obasanjo put into law the decree ‘’newspaper public official report’’ which stated that anyone who publishes or reproduces through written form or otherwise any rumor, or statement accusing any public officer of engaging in  corrupt practices or enriching himself through corrupt ways shall be a victim, and would be imprisoned for two(2) years without any alternative of fine.

           In 1983, Muhammadu Buhari became head of state. He promulgated Decree 4 known as ‘’public officers’’ decree whichwas intended to protect public officers from false accusations.Tunde Thompson and NdukaIriabor were the only victims of this decree, they were arrested and  detained for (3) three months awaiting trial, they were sentenced to a year in prison and the Guardian was fined 50,000 naira payable in 24 hours. Buhari’s regime was famous for its fight against corruption in the country.

On August 27, 1985, Ibrahim Babaginda overthrew Muhammadu Buhari. He represented himself as a friend of the press. He won the trust of the press by repealing Decree 4 which was ‘’public officers protection against false accusation’’ and released those who were victims of this decree. His color changed like the chameleon’s skin, he oppressed the press ruthlessly by promulgating Decree 2 which was titled ‘’state security’’ [detention of persons]. He also promulgated other decrees ranging from Decree 85 ‘’ Nigerian press council ‘’ to  Decree 14 ‘’concord group of newspapers publication’’ which prohibited circulation of concord newspapers. In his regime, over ten (10) newspapers like African concord, the punch, etc, were prohibited to circulate their newspapers. He is alleged to be responsible for the dearth of a prestigious journalist, Dele Giwa, who died as a result of the letter bomb he received from the Head of state’s office.After promising Nigerians that he was going to hand over power to the civilians, general Ibrahim Babaginda finally handed power in 1993 over to the interim government Ernest Shonekan after annulling the june 12 election between Moshood Abiola and Bashir Tofar which was considered the most partial election Nigeria has ever had.

            General Sanni Abacha took over power on 17^th November, 1993. His regime was totally against the press and he was largely hated be the citizens for other reasons. He arrested Tell’s editor-in-chief NosaIgiebor and seized over 55,000 of the publication and magazines. On the positive side, He oversaw an increase in the country’s foreign exchange reserves. He reduced the external debt of Nigeria. Abacha recorded the highest number of seized newsprint at the port andalso the highest number of proscribed newspaper houses. A hand full of Nigerians rejoiced at his sudden death because of his ruthless oppression.

            General Abdusalam ended the military era. He transited from military to civilian. His administration was responsible for the amendment of the Nigerian press council decree 85, it had also put into law Decree 60 ‘’ Nigerian press council’’ [amendment] which encouraged the council to take charge of registration of newspapers, magazines and journalist annually.

              Finally, the military era has been an instrument for strengthening and developing the press throughout the year by its ruthless oppressions.

For more information visit these sites:

 http://www.peoplesdailyng.com/civil-military-relations-tool-for-enhancing-national-security-in-nigeria/

http://businessdayonline.com/2014/06/insecurity-in-nigeria-looking-beyond-boko-haram-insurgency-2/#.U9EAekB4blM

http://www.radionigeriaibadan.com/commentary-list/45-rising-insecurity-in-nigeria

http://thewillnigeria.com/news/opinion-the-problems-challenges-and-solutions-to-insecurity-in-nigeria/