How Decades Of Military Rule Affected Nigeria’s Development — Ayo Opadokun

Former secretary of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Pa Ayo Opadokun, has said decades of military rule in Nigeria negatively impacted the socio-economic development of the country.

Opadokun, who stated this yesterday during the unveiling of his book titled ‘The Gun Hegemony’, said the ascension of the military into government, led by the late Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi in 1966 during the First Republic, was the genesis of the country’s misfortune.

He added that the continued military rule during the Second Republic till the Third Republic was marked by abuse of power, enforced by the use of guns, which led to the decline of the country’s development.

‘‘If the army did not intervene in Nigeria’s affairs, the story of Nigeria would not be what it is today. Could there have been a military insurrection without the gun? Could there have been an imposition of military dictatorship that arrested Nigeria’s aspiration as well as stunted the growth without the gun?” he said.

He described the book as a compendium of critical and relevant information, saying it is filled with some historical accounts new to public knowledge.

“Nobody had ever linked Colonel Ojokwu with the coup of January 15, 1966, but the account in this book contains concrete evidence, from Ayo Opadokun, not hearsay. The book also challenges other interested observers to write on the consequences of military dictatorship on our country’s politics and its enduring legacy,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Chief of Staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, in his remark, described Pa Opadokun as a nation-builder, commending him for documenting the country’s political history.

“This book is therefore an act of love for our beloved nation, by one whose patriotism has long since been proven through hard efforts, sweat, and tears. It is pertinent to note that Chief Opadokun’s submissions in this book are not merely theoretical.

“They are grounded in Chief Opadokun’s practical knowledge, experience, and understanding of Nigeria’s political history, especially the many attempts through the years to wrest power from the soldiers and restore civil rule in the country,” he said.

He highlighted Pa Opadokun’s impact on the development of the country, saying he had earned a distinguished reputation in the annals of the country’s history.

‎“Chief Opadokun distinguished himself in that struggle, playing many roles, including most memorably as Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, during the worst days of military rule.

‎“In this book, Chief Ayo Opadokun makes the case that the overthrow of the first constitutionally elected government in 1966, the abrogation of the constitution, and the subsequent rule by decree introduced a corrupting element into our body politics that has never been resolved six decades after, and continues to imprint, inform, and debilitate our politics and governments even now, 26 years after the return to civil rule,” he said.

‎Elder statesman and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has reiterated the need for a new constitution.

Anyaoku added his voice with veteran journalist and publisher, Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, and Poet and activist, Fred Egbeyegbe, in renewed calls for true federalism and the adoption of a people-driven constitution for Nigeria.

The elder statesman added that Nigeria was a pluralistic nation and needed to learn from other nations like ours who were divided because they didn’t have a constitution that was tailored to the diverse nation.

‎He advocated for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution to reflect true federalism.

‎“I believe that the only way Nigeria can be made to work is to have a constitution that reflects the pluralism of the country,” he said.

‎Dignitaries and friends came to honor the author at the book launch. ‎The Gun Hegemony is made up of 428 pages and is divided into fifteen chapters.

‎A section of the chapter reads : “It is crystal clear that any geographical space that is unlucky to be conquered by the Military is up for grabs. Everything in such a society is regarded as part of the spoils of war.

“Since Nigeria therefore was conquered on January 15, 1966, everything and everybody (including Nigeria’s national endowment) became part of the spoils of war.”