Ahead of 2015! How did President Jonathan get there? Nigeria's Past and Present!

Continued from last time!

Click here for previous write-up

Major General Aguiy-ironsi was later overthrown and murdered the same year in July and was succeeded by General Yakubu Gowon. He was in powere till 1975. At this time, some group of soldiers were already having the thought of returning power to the civilians. That thought led to a coup which had no bloodsheds in 1975.

Major General Aguiyi Ironsi

It seems the prayers of the civilians and politics was now making progress. Gen. Gowon was succeeded by Brigadier (later General) Murtala Muhammed. Although, General Murtala was not directly involved in the coup but helped in rounding up of soldiers. This period between 1966 and 1976 was really a great period for Nigerians. In 1976, Olusegun Obasanjo took over power after a bloody coup which claimed General Murtala Mohammed’s life.

 Just as the politicians have been praying for the return of power to them, Obasanjo handed over to an elected civilian, Sheu Shagari and the military regime ended with the installation of Nigeria’s Second Republic.

General Olusegun Obasanjo

However, it was not long before Shagari was overthrown in another bloodless coup in 1983 marking the beginning of the new military regime. Muhammadu Buhari was appointed Chairman of the Supreme Military Council and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed forces. Buhari’s tenure lasted for two years after which he was overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida, who appointed himself as the President of the Armed forces Ruling Council of Nigeria. However, Babangida promised to return power to the civilians but that barely happened during his regime.

In 1993, Babangida handed over to the then interim head of state, Ernest Shonekan as part of his promise to return democracy. Like they say, the evil always has his way of doing things. Shonekan was overtghrown by General Sani Abacha just after two months in power. Babangida was also involved in the process.

Umaru Musa Yar'adua

President Goodluck Jonathan

Abacha died in 1998 and was succeeded by General Abdulsalami Abubakar who ruled until 1999. Olusegun Obasanjo was elected as head of state in the same year. He took over form General Abdulsalami Abubakar and ended the military era. He ruled for eight yearsand then passed it on to democratically elected President Umaru Yar’adua who ruled until his death in 2010 after battling with sickness. His short tenure was regarded as a blessing to Nigeria. Goodluck Jonathan, Yar’adua Vice President assumed the position of President.

Coming up next!

• Analysis of Jonathan’s Administration
• Solid facts of his administration  
• Success and Setbacks witnessed by the Nation during his present administration. 

Follow @thisseidublog