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The Military Rule And Political Transition In Nigeria: An Appraisal Of Abacha Regime (1993-1998)
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Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
In this
study, I examined the relationship between ethno political organisations
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 democratisation 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 of semi political nature.By the
middle years of colonialism in Nigeria, these young men‟s club were
speedily turned into pan- ethnic organisations. Ethno- political
organisations such as the Igbo aged grades or unions, the Hausa Fulani
Jamiuyar Mutanen (Arewa) and Yoruba Egba Omo Oduduwa, were the main
ethno political organisations ravaging our country Nigeria, before the
attainment of our independence on October, 1960. These pan ethnic
organisations were to become important actors in the democratic struggle
of Nigerian people against colonial rule, which culminated in
independence in 1960. The salutary roles they played in the first were
of democratization in Nigeria, including the dynamics of their relations
with the colonialist and another has been articulated by some
studies.Nevertheless, the precipitate decline of Nigeria into
authoritarian rule a few years after independence, characterised by
nearly three decades of military rule, has also been blamed on the
political intervention of these ethnic organisations.Consequently, when
the military seized power and banned all political parties in 1966, at
least 26 tribal and cultural associations were also banned.Still, ethno
political organisations remained central in Nigerian politics generally,
and in the recent process of ending authoritarian rule in particular.
Some of the organisation that emerged in this process include the Egbe
Afenifere, literally meaning persons wishing to protect their interest
in association with others and Egba Ilosiwaju Yoruba (Association of
Yoruba progressive) claiming to represent Yoruba interest, the Mkpoko
Igbo (union of Igbo‟s) for the Igbo, the movement for the survival of
Ogoni people (MASSOP) for the minority Ogonis and the northern Elders
Forum representing or perceived to represent Hausa Fulani interests.
Some of them have coalesced into larger inter ethnic and regional
ensembles like the southern Mandata Group with purports to represent all
ethnic interest in the south of the country.
The primary objective
of this study is to explain the roles of ethno political organisations,
in the transition to democracy in Nigeria which began in 1986, when the
then military government of General Babangida announced its transition
programme. That attempts was botched, perhaps temporarily, with the
annulment of presidential election on June 12th, 1993. Three months
later, the military led by General Sani Abacha, a prominent member of
the Babangida administration, seized power and promised to return the
country to a democratic government which he never did until he died in
1998.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Various studies have examined
transitions to democracy in Africa, often situating them within the
context of the so called third wave of democracy, which refers to the
recent experience of eastern European, Latin America and African
countries.Although there are still many dissenting voices calling for
more rigorous examination of the concept of democracy the dominant
attitude is that the democracy on offer is settled, namely liberal /
multi-party democracy/ this attitude, in most cases, is both reflection
and a result of the renaissance and resurgence of Tocquevillean and
Schumpetarian notions of democracy as institutional political
arrangement and practices of west, and democratization as the spread of
those institutions with them.This process is also seen as ineluctable,
contrary to this position, however the originality of Africa‟s
transitions are undeniable. Surely, extra African influences have
impacted on Africa‟s transition, but to be spread by proselytizing
others. To be sure, the reversals already being experienced in
democratic transitions in some African countries and recline into
authoritarian rule in others, suggest to us the need for a
re-examination of the democratic content of African transitions. One
factor that many will agree is central to such re-examination is
ethnicity. The interface between ethnicity and democracy has been
prominent theme in extant literatures. Studies have focused on the
reciprocal impact of ethnicity and multiparty democracy. While some
argue a negative impact of ethnicity on democracy, others argue positive
(or potentially positive)link. What is still lacking however, are in
debt studies of the concrete experience of multi ethnic African
societies in the light of transitions to democracy. That is the major
concern of this study. In doing this, we must realize that the political
interventions of ethnic groups in politics are not spontaneous.Ethnic
groups act in politics through their organizations. In fact, we know
that ethnic organisations sometimes help to invent identities in the
first place. Such organisations as they functioned in Nigeria‟s effort
to transition to democratic rule between 1993 and 1998 constitute the
focus of our study.In a view to accomplishing this research work
effectively, I therefore pose the following research questions:
1. Does corruption account for military intervention in Nigerian politics?
2. Does ethno political organizations induce military intervention?
3. What are the challenges in Nigeria‟s transition to democratic rule in Nigeria?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The
general objectives or purpose of this study is to examine the problems
and prospects encountered by military rule in Nigeria with special
references to political transition in Nigeria 1993 – 1998.The specific
objectives are:
1. To examine how corruption accounts for military intervention in Nigerian politics.
2. To determine the roles played by ethno-political organizations in military intervention.
3. To find out the major challenges in Nigerian‟s transition to democratic rule.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The
most important significance of this study is that even in the context
of the liberal democratic project, what remains largely lacking in
existing studies is analysis of the specificity of ethnicity in on-going
democratic transitions in Africa. There is need to analyse the impact
of ethnicity not only the process of transition, but also its different
phases.This study is therefore significance because it helps research
students or scholars, as well as those who wish to specialise in this
area of study, to understand and be in position to analyse the major
influence or causes of military interventions in Nigerian politics,
again the main roles being played by ethno political organisations in
Nigeria whether positive or negative, and finally, to understand the
prospects and challenges being faced by the military and ethno political
organisations in Nigeria‟s transition to civil rule.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]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‟s transition to democratic rule so as to establish the gap in ... Continue reading---
