Disadvantages of Military Rule in Nigeria

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This article provides you with an explanation for the disadvantages of

military rule in Nigeria. Nigeria has experienced long years of

military rule which has in turn affected the executive, legislature,

and judiciary systems of the country. But first, what is military

rule?









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Disadvantages of Military Rule in Nigeria







Military rule is a political regime in which the military as an

organization holds the supremacy of power. A military government is

any government that is controlled by military forces. This government

can be either legal or illegal but it depends on the laws of the

jurisdiction at the time. The military government is usually carried

out by military workers. The term ‘military rule’ or regime are

synonymously used in referring to one of the types of an authoritarian

regime.







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Countries with the military rule are usually plagued by violence which

is used by the government in exercising control. Sometimes, the

military government may attempt to achieve consent between the

government and national communities. However, most times, military

leaders have no regard for the rule of law so they can implement their

own laws.



Military rule in Nigeria



There have been successful and failed military coups in Nigeria since

the country’s independence in 1960. A military coup can be either

violent or non-violent but it entails the overthrow of an existing

political regime by another military government. The 15th of January

1966 officially marked the beginning of military rule in Nigeria.

After this, there has been a series of coups and counter-coups that

have ushered the country from one military era to the other.



Between 1966 and 1999 the army interruptedly held power in Nigeria

asides a short-lived return to democracy between 1979-1983. Military

rule in Nigeria was finally overthrown in 1999 when General Obasanjo

was elected as president.







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To date, Nigerians still feel the negative effects of the years of

military rule in Nigeria. Let us take a closer look at the

disadvantages of military rule in Nigeria:

Ruined economy



One of the major effects the military rule is on the economy of the

country. Nigeria’s civil service which used to be one of the best in

Africa was destroyed as a result of the mismanagement that comes with

the military rule. This in turn resulted into a downfall of the

Nigerian economy.



Poor educational system



Nigeria’s educational system is a sector that suffered during

military rule and unfortunately, that we still have not been able to

get on track. Nigeria used to boast of the most effective schools,

methods and welfare but this testimony was destroyed during the

military era. For example, the military government scrapped the Higher

School certificate. Educational values were also destroyed.



Corruption



Military regimes are mostly marked by lawlessness. This is because the

government does not answer to the law. You can only imagine what this

would mean for the country at large. A government with no checks can

do whatever they deem fit. When the military is the supreme power in

any nation, such things as corruption, looting, injustice thrive.

Corruption was the order of the day because people were not punished

for their corrupt practices. Many argue that the corruption the

country still grapples with started during the military era.







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Limited freedoms and rights



During the Nigerian military era, the citizens lost most of their

freedoms, which includes freedom of speech, association and worse is

even the freedom of life. This is because the civilians have higher

authority to run to in times of trouble. Also, unlimited power rests

with the military government and they can do as they so please, even

kill a person without fear of the law.



Unruly system of government



Due to the lack of checks and balances, a military government can

easily become unruly. While the high handedness of the military

government can result in discipline and order, a greater disadvantage

is that there is no one to check the authority of the people in

charge. Military leaders become powerful, rebellious and wayward.



Instability of Government



During the military era, Nigeria went from one government to the

other. Governments were overthrown, political leaders assassinated and

oppositions silenced. You must know that the instability of the

government in any country cannot translate into something good for the

nation. Instability of government leads to lack of continuity. One

project is begun and then abandoned by the next government. Policies

are taken on and abandoned at will. This has also resulted in the

stifled development we witness in Nigeria.



Loss of Lives and Properties



Every military government desire to rule with absolute power and no

opposition not only from the civilians but also, from within its own

camp, the military. Thus, military governments make sure to eliminate

any form of threat or opposition. During the first military coup of

January 15, 1966 coup, lives were lost as 11 senior Nigerian

politicians and 2 soldiers being murdered. This is not to talk of the

kidnap cases and the unsafety that plagued the whole country at the

time. Almost every military coup in Nigeria has been quite bloody. In

fact, military leaders in Nigeria rarely ruled or lived long because

they were either captured, kidnapped or killed.



Total elimination or relegation of the Constitution to the Background



In every country, the constitution is a set of rules that is meant to

guide the affairs of the government and the people. The constitution

protects the rights of the citizens and also acts as a form of a check

for the government. The constitution however is the first to be

eliminated in a military era. When the power of the constitution is

nullified, the military then has absolute power which gives then total

freedom to rule as they wish.



Lack of Freedom



During military regimes, speeches against the ruling power is not

tolerated. The freedom of the media and press is also trumped as the

military takes control of the media for propaganda purposes. The

military then decides what the citizens should and should not know.

Civilians and journalists that spoke against military government

actions and policies were imprisoned or killed; such includes Beko

Ransome-Kuti and Dele Giwa.







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