They say the past is a lesson, not a prison. But what happens when a nation keeps failing the same test? In Nigeria, the shadows of 1983 are slowly crawling back into the present. Economic hardship, public frustration, and a growing distrust in leadership. It all just looks eerily familiar.
From 1983 to 1999, Nigeria lost 16 years of democracy to military rule. The coup that started it all was fueled by corruption, economic collapse, and public anger. Today, we are walking dangerously close to that same cliff. And history, as they say, is watching.
In December 1983, Nigeria woke up to news that its democracy had been overthrown. The horrible thing about it is that they come in with promises familiar— to end corruption, restore order, fix the economy. What followed instead was over a decade of military rule, repression, and decline. Four decades later, many signs point to déjà vu.
Here's a quick run-down of the 1983–1999 timeline of Military Dominance, with just One Failed Democratic Transition:
- 1983 Coup
President Shehu Shagari, democratically elected then, was overthrown by Major General Muhammadu Buhari.
- 1983–1985: Buhari’s Military Regime
I don't know if it's okay to say it started well with Authoritarian anti-corruption and discipline policies.
But just like every time in history, power corrupts, and human rights violations led to a loss of support.
- 1985 – Buhari Overthrown by Babangida
In 1985 General Ibrahim Babangida took power. With promises of a new democracy which he began a transition to democracy, but delayed it repeatedly.
- 1993 – Aborted Democracy
The freest and fairest election in Nigerian history was held on June 12, 1993.
MKO Abiola won, but Babangida annulled the results (a result of unchecked power).
But eventually, the people spoke up, and the public outcry led to Babangida stepping down.
- 1993 – Interim Government (Brief Civilian Rule)
Chief Ernest Shonekan led a transitional government for just 3 months.
Seen as weak and ineffective.
- 1993 Coup – Sani Abacha Seizes Power
Abacha overthrows Shonekan and runs a brutal military dictatorship (1993 with with severe human rights abuses, widespread corruption, and suppression of opposition.
- 1998 – Abacha Dies Suddenly (a miracle if you ask me)
General Abdulsalami Abubakar became the Head of State and began a real transition to democracy. And I guess I can say the cycle of history continued.
Reliving the past
Today, we have the same greedy politicians biting away at the life of this country and its economy. We have people leading us who don't care about the people, old men swollen with too much power, who have no idea how to put it to good use.
Same public frustration, economic decline, and hardship, and the growing distrust in corrupt leaders.
I read a book that said war was a part of peace, and watched a video that showed a perfect chart of the historical fall of different world powers and the emergence of different nations as the new world power.
I can remember so many things in the chart that just kept on repeating themselves, including the significant trade war between the United States of America and China.
Of course, I hope and do pray that what seems inevitable is stopped by a miracle or something. But the thought of World War III looming even closer is a scary reality. Because one thing is for sure, if we can't break this cycle, the consequences would be worse than the past.