COUPS, MILITARY RULE, THE CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION (1966 – 1979)

The military coup of January 15, 1966, led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu which claimed the lives of many politicians brought Major Gen. Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi to power. The politicians killed were Ahmadu Bello, Festus Okotiebo, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa among many others.

Hence, the military coup which claimed the lives of many Northern and Western politicians brought misunderstanding. And that led to the second military coup on 29th July 1966 which eliminated the government of Ironsi and brought Gen. Yakubu Gowon to power.

However, the second coup led to the policy of confederation system by Gen. Odumeogwu Ojukwu which was opposed by Gen. Gowon and his group and that led to the Nigeria civil (Biafra) war which lasted from 1966 to 1969.
Then the policy of the 3Rs followed – Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction which was adopted by the federal government at the end of the war.

Leave a Comment

not allowed!