Democratization and the Military in Nigeria: A Case for an Enduring Civil-Military Relations in the Fourth Republic and Beyond

This paper examines the military and democracy within the context of Nigeria’s historical and socio political reality. Nigeria’s inability to foster a sustainable democratic tradition has negative consequences for the country. The quest for democracy and therefore development in Nigeria has been hindered by the disruptive influences of militarism. The military’s love for power stems partially from a love for wealth and partly from its self-image as the custodian of the independent and corporate existence of the country. If the democratic tradition is to be sustained in Nigeria, constitutional as well as policy measures should be adopted to tackle the issue of militarism.