Give reasons for the military intervention in the politics of any one West African country.

Answer Details

Using Nigeria as the chosen West African country, the following were the main reasons for military intervention in politics, notably the coup of January 1966 and subsequent takeovers.

1. Political corruption: Widespread embezzlement and misuse of public funds by politicians provoked the military to intervene in order to sanitise governance.
2. Electoral malpractice: Rigging, thuggery and violence, especially during the 1964 federal and 1965 Western Region elections, undermined confidence in the political process.
3. Ethnicity and tribalism: Politics was dominated by ethnic rivalry and favouritism, which threatened national unity.
4. Political instability and breakdown of law and order: Violence in the Western Region ("Operation Wetie") and general disorder gave the army a pretext to step in.
5. Weak and ineffective leadership: The inability of civilian governments to manage crises and maintain discipline eroded public trust.
6. Personal ambition of soldiers: Some officers were driven by the desire for power, wealth and rapid promotion.
7. Nepotism and abuse of office: Awarding of contracts and appointments on ethnic and personal grounds bred discontent.
8. Economic mismanagement: Poor handling of the economy, inflation and neglect of public welfare fuelled dissatisfaction.
9. Foreign influence and the example of coups elsewhere: The wave of military takeovers across Africa encouraged imitation.