MILITARY RULE IN NIGERIA

WEAKNESSES OF MILITARY RULE

The military are not trained in the act of governance.
Military regimes are by their nature autocratic; they are insensitive to the opinions or the demands of the people.
The Nigerian civil war; the military was responsible for the civil war that claimed many lives.
Military rule is based on fear because they possessed weapons of coercion especially the gun.
Mismanagement and wastage of public fund.
Increase in the rate of crime in the country.
Violation of fundamental human rights.
Lack of respect for the rule of law; the military do not respect the rule of law because military rule is conducted without a constitution.
The military derive pleasure in passing harsh laws (draconian law) which some times take retro active effect.
Failure to conduct an acceptable population census.

Military intervention could be prevented with the eradication or reduction in the level of corruption in Nigeria by politicians.
It can also be prevented through accountability and transparency on the part of politicians.
Necessary atmosphere should be created for the conduct of free and fair elections.
It can be prevented if elected officials are responsive to the yearnings of the people.
A law should be made to depoliticize the military and be completely separated from politics.
It can be prevented if politicians learn to avoid mismanagement of public fund.
The people should resist military rule through peaceful mass disobedience.
Fundamental human rights should be respected by everybody in the country especially the politicians and military.
The masses should be given political education so as to be able to fight for their right when it is being infringed upon.
Politicians should learn how to avoid ethnic politics in order not to attract military rule.

State 5 measures that could be taken to prevent military intervention in politics.
What is it to depoliticize the military?

The Armed Forces Ruling Council: This consist of the Head of State and the Commander In- Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and the Secretary to the military Government. This was the supreme decision making body in the country
The Council of Ministers: This consists of the President, Vice President and the ministers some of whom were military officers, while others were politicians. The council performs executive functions with the President as the Chairman.
The Council of States: This was an innovation introduced by Murtala Mohammed. It was an advisory body to the S.M.C./A.F.R.C. It was usually presided over by the Chief of Staff supreme headquarters. It is composed of the Head of State, Chief of General Staff, Minister of Defense; service Chiefs of the Army, Air force and Navy, Inspector General of Police, Attorney General and all military Governors.
The Judiciary: This is headed by the Chief Justice of the country and various Judges of the court of appeal and high court.
The Civil Service: It was made up of both the Secretary to the military government and the Head of Service. Apart from this, the structure of the civil service remains the same with that of the civilian regime.

(a) provision of infrastructure (b) increase in crime rate (c) making of harsh laws

(a) periodic elections (b) use of decrees (c) respect for the rule of law

R.C. stands for (a) Peace Reconciliation Council (b) People’s Redemption Council

(a) Aguiyi Ironsi (b) Murtala Mohammed (c) Yakubu Gowon