Ousting The Military
Ousting The Military The pinnacle of the June 12 struggle was ousting the military junta after decades of overseeing Nigeria’s affairs. Nigerian Armed Forces were in power from 1966 to 1999 with an interregnum from 1979 to 1983. In their second coming the military were in power from 1983-1999. Following the military’s ouster, Nigeria evolved into a quasi-democracy, founded on a military-oriented constitution – the 1999 constitution has long been a source of contention. Real political struggle was under the military government, especially under Abacha. For those who participated in the struggle, the memories are evergreen. As a youth I became immersed in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) struggles against military dictatorship. My affiliation with the NADECO struggle was through my late Dad, M.B.O Owolowo Sr., family friends, relatives and associates. Many of those affected by the travails of that draconian era survived with various coping mechanisms and are still traumat...