Nigeria’s former Head of State (June 1998-May 1999, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, says the military cannot take over without politicians being involved.
General Abdulsalami, who handed over power to President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999, told The Sun Newspaper in an exclusive interview that whenever there are quarrels within the political class and “they are not handled amicably, certainly, this will result in military takeover.”
He spoke against the backdrop of in West African nations of Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.
Last year when the military overtook the government of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, General Abdulsalami was one of those who intervened on behalf of the regional bloc, ECOWAS.
This was after sanctions were imposed on the neighbouring West African nation, which refused to return power to the ousted president.
However, by the time ECOWAS shifted its ground on sanctions, Niger Republic had already formed alliance with other countries which also kicked out civilian governments.
According to the former Head of State: “You see, whatever happens, it must be the political field that allows any military man to take over. When you are in government and there is no equity and justice, certainly this brings problems. You have a political party and even in the political party one belongs to, there is no democracy.
“So, certainly, you will expect some quivers, some quarrels to come out and if they are not handled amicably, certainly, this will result in military takeover. Remember there is no military man that takes over without the connivance and assistance of politicians and civilians.”
Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, there have been five military coup d’états.
Between 1966 and 1999, Nigeria was ruled by a military government without interruption, apart from a short-lived return to democracy under the Second Republic from October 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983.