Old Soldiers Never Die!
The military dictatorship in Nigeria lasted from 1966 to 1999 with an integral from 1979 to 1983. This was a period when members of the Nigerian Armed forces held power and were at the helm of affairs of the country. The military government was headed by the military head of state.
Until the democracy era came into play on May 29, 1999, Nigeria had eight military heads of state. Three of which are of blessed memory; General Aguiyi Ironsi, General Murtala Mohammed and General Sani Abacha.
Here is a list of the 5 former heads of state that are still living;
1. General Yakubu Gowon
Born on October 19, 1934, the retired Nigerian Army general and military leader presided over the controversial Nigerian civil war. He is the longest-serving contiguous head of state until he was overthrown in a military coup led by Brigadier Murtala Mohammed in 1975 after ruling for almost nine years.
He is a Nigerian Nationalist who believes in the unity and oneness of the country.
2. Olusegun Obasanjo
Nigerian military and political leader born on 5th March 1938, Obasanjo served as the Nigerian head of state from 1976 to 1979. He was the first president of the democratic era from 1999 to 2007 under the flag of the People’s Democratic Party. In 1995, Obasanjo was arrested and convicted of being part of a planned coup despite protesting his innocence.
About three years later, he was released following Abacha’s death after which he entered electoral politics, winning the 1999 presidential election convincingly, and the subsequent 2003 elections.
3. Muhammadu Buhari
Currently, the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari was born on 17th December 1942. He served as the military head of state from 31st December 1983 to 27th August 1985. He was one of the leaders of the 1983 military coup that overthrew the second Nigerian Republic.
He had an unsuccessful run while contesting in 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections, his breakthrough finally came in the 2015 general election under the flag of the All Progressive Congress. He got re-elected in 2019.
4. Ibrahim Babangida
Born on 17th August 1941, the retired Nigerian Army general and politician served as the military president of Nigeria from 1985 until his resignation in 1993. He was pivotal to the military coup of 1983 which led to the overthrow of the second republic.
He was also the ringleader of the subsequent 1985 military coup through which he became the head of state in an overthrow of the government of then head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari.
5. Abdusalami Abubakar
Born 13th June 1942, the Nigerian statesman and retired army general succeeded General Sani Abacha upon his death. He promised to hold elections and transfer power to an elected president within a year, which he did by transferring power to the elected civilian president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Before the power transfer, his decision led him to establish the Independent National Electoral Commission, causing him to rule he rule from 9th June 1998 to 29th May 1999.
He is also the current chairman of the National Peace Committee.
#Traditional is a segment documenting the beauty of indigenous culture. This edition features the 5 Military heads of State That Are Still Living.
