The Nigerian military cited which of the reasons for taking over the government in the country?

Throughout Nigeria's history, the military has intervened in governance through coups d'etat on several occasions. The most consistently cited justification by the military for taking over the government has been the mismanagement of public funds by the elected political leaders.

In virtually every military coup in Nigeria, the coup plotters pointed to corruption, financial mismanagement, and the looting of public resources by civilian politicians as the primary reason for their intervention:

• The January 1966 coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu cited widespread corruption and abuse of office by the First Republic politicians.
• The July 1966 counter-coup also referenced governance failures.
• The December 1983 coup by Major General Muhammadu Buhari explicitly cited the massive corruption and economic mismanagement of the Second Republic under Shehu Shagari.
• The August 1985 coup by General Ibrahim Babangida cited similar concerns about governance failures.

While the other options touch on issues that existed, the mismanagement of public funds was the reason most frequently and prominently cited by the military in their broadcast statements justifying their seizure of power.