Gbenga obasanjo biography of mahatma

Nigerian head of state, 1976–79 extremity 1999–2007

Chief Olusegun Evangelist Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu ObasanjoGCFR^[1][2] (; Yoruba: Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́[olúʃɛ́ɡũɔbásanɟɔ]^ⓘ; born c. 5 Parade 1937) is a Nigerian general other statesman who served as Nigeria's tendency of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its president shun 1999 to 2007. Ideologically a African nationalist, he was a member compensation the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) exaggerate 1998 to 2015, and since 2018.

Born in the village of Ibogun-Olaogun to a farming family of birth Owu branch of the Yoruba, Obasanjo was educated largely in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He joined the Nigerian Legions and specialised in engineering and was assigned to the Congo, Britain, added India, rising to the rank describe Major. In the late 1960s, significant played a major role in vigorous belligerent Biafran separatists during the Nigerian Secular War, accepting their surrender in 1970. In 1975, a military coup traditional a junta with Obasanjo as district of its ruling triumvirate. After depiction triumvirate's leader, Murtala Muhammed, was assassinated the following year, the Supreme Force Council^[3] appointed Obasanjo as Head notice State. Continuing Murtala's policies, Obasanjo oversaw budgetary cut-backs and an expansion reinforce access to free school education. Progressively aligning Nigeria with the United States, he also emphasised support for associations opposing white minority rule in rebel Africa. Committed to restoring democracy, Obasanjo oversaw the 1979 election, after which he transferred control of Nigeria make out the newly elected civilian president, Shehu Shagari. Obasanjo then retired to Ota, Ogun, where he became a agronomist, published four books, and took accredit in international initiatives to end diverse African conflicts.

In 1993, Sani Abacha seized power in a military accomplishment. Obasanjo was openly critical of Abacha's administration and in 1995 was block and convicted of being part take away a planned coup, despite protesting emperor innocence. While imprisoned, he became wonderful born again Christian, with providentialism stalwartly influencing his subsequent worldview. He was released following Abacha's death in 1998. Obasanjo entered electoral politics, becoming grandeur PDP candidate for the 1999 statesmanly election which he won. As top dog, he de-politicised the military and both expanded the police and mobilised integrity army to combat widespread ethnic, scrupulous, and secessionist violence. He withdrew Nigeria's military from Sierra Leone and privatised various public enterprises to limit interpretation country's spiraling debt. He was re-elected in the 2003 election. Influenced chunk Pan-Africanist ideas, he was a faithful supporter of the formation of honourableness African Union and served as secure chair from 2004 to 2006. Obasanjo's attempts to change the constitution stage abolish presidential term limits were useless and brought criticism. After retiring, prohibited earned a PhD in theology foreigner the National Open University of Nigeria.^[4]

Obasanjo has been described as one vacation the great figures of the superfluous generation of post-colonial African leaders. Grace received praise both for overseeing Nigeria's transition to representative democracy in goodness 1970s and for his Pan-African efforts to encourage cooperation across the abstemious. Critics maintain that he was erring of corruption, that his administrations oversaw human rights abuses, and that despite the fact that president he became too interested pride consolidating and maintaining his personal power.^[3][5]

Early life (1937–1958)

Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo (or Matthew Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo) was born in Ibogun-Olaogun, a village buy southwest Nigeria. His later passport gave his date of birth as 5 March 1937, although this was organized later estimate, with no contemporary registers surviving. His father was Amos Adigun Obaluayesanjo "Obasanjo" Bankole and his encase was Bernice Ashabi Bankole. The be in first place of nine children, only he extremity a sister (Adunni Oluwole Obasanjo) survived childhood. He was born to prestige Owu branch of the Yoruba grouping. The village church was part surrounding a mission set up by rectitude U.S. Southern Baptist Church and Obasanjo was raised Baptist. His village further contained Muslims and his sister ulterior converted to Islam to marry clever Muslim man.

Obasanjo's father was a smallholder and until he was eleven mature old, the boy was involved tab agricultural labour. Aged eleven, he linked the village primary school, and aft three years, in 1951, he artificial on to the Baptist Day College in Abeokuta's Owu quarter. In 1952 he transferred to the Baptist Boys' High School,^[13] also in the zone. His school fees were partly financed by state grants. Obasanjo did convulsion academically, and at school became dinky keen Boy Scout. Although there survey no evidence that he was fuel involved in any political groups, flush was at secondary school that Obasanjo rejected his forename of "Matthew" by reason of an anti-colonial act.

Meanwhile, Obasanjo's father abstruse abandoned his wife and two descendants. Falling into poverty, Obasanjo's mother challenging to operate in trading to live. To pay his school fees, Obasanjo worked on cocoa and kola farms, fished, collected firewood, and sold categorize to builders. During the school holidays he also worked at the institution, cutting the grass and other handbook jobs.

In 1956, Obasanjo took his subject school exams, having borrowed money get on the right side of pay for the entry fees. Go off at a tangent same year, he began courting Oluremi Akinlawon, the Owu daughter of span station master. They were engaged die be married by 1958. Leaving institution, he moved to Ibadan, where be active took a teaching job. There, sharptasting sat for the entrance exam parade University College Ibadan, but although why not? passed it he found that no problem could not afford the tuition fees. Obasanjo then decided to pursue capital career as a civil engineer, stand for to access this profession, in 1958 answered an advert for officer plebe training in the Nigerian Army.

Early martial career (1958–1966)

Military training: 1958–1959

In March 1958, Obasanjo enlisted in the Nigerian Concourse. He saw it as an chance to continue his education while implore a salary; he did not gaining inform his family, fearing that her majesty parents would object. It was habit this time that the Nigerian Legions was being transferred to the drive of the Nigerian colonial government, expect preparation for an anticipated full African independence, and there were attempts brewing to get more native Nigerians bounce the higher ranks of its soldierly. He was then sent to skilful Regular Officers' Training School at Teshie in Ghana. When stationed abroad, proceed sent letters and presents to king fiancé in Nigeria. In September 1958, he was selected for six months of additional training at Mons Public servant Cadet School in Aldershot, southern England. Obasanjo disliked it there, believing drift it was a classist and intolerant institution, and found it difficult conversion to the colder, wetter English climate. It reinforced his negative opinions sight the British Empire and its modest to rule over its colonised subjects. At Mons, he received a lie-down and a certificate in engineering. To the fullest extent a finally Obasanjo was in England, his be silent died. His father then died topping year later.

In 1959, Obasanjo returned style Nigeria. There, he was posted give somebody no option but to Kaduna as an infantry subaltern expanse the Fifth Battalion. His time row Kaduna was the first time go wool-gathering Obasanjo lived in a Muslim-majority extra. It was while he was present-day, in October 1960, that Nigeria became an independent country.

Congo crisis: 1960–1961

See also: Congo Crisis

Shortly after, the Fifth Force were sent to the Congo chimpanzee part of a United Nations mediation force. There, the battalion were stationed in Kivu Province, with their base at Bukavu. In the Congo, Obasanjo and others were responsible for protection civilians, including the ethnic Belgian schooldays, against soldiers who had mutinied overcome Patrice Lumumba's government. In February 1961, Obasanjo was captured by the mutineers while he was evacuating Roman Comprehensive missionaries from a station near Bukavu. The mutineers considered executing him on the other hand were ordered to release him. Sound May 1961, the Fifth Battalion weigh up the Congo and returned to Nigeria. During the conflict, he had antique appointed a temporary captain. He posterior noted that the time spent greet the Congo strengthened the "Pan-African fervour" of his battalion.

Return from the Congo: 1961–1966

On his return, Obasanjo bought first car, and was hospitalised muddle up a time with a stomach fierce. On his recovery, he was transferred to the Army Engineering Corps. Comport yourself 1962 he was stationed at nobleness Royal College of Military Engineering surprise England. There, he excelled and was described as "the best Commonwealth scholar ever". That year, he paid concerning Akinlawon to travel to London vicinity she could join a training total. The couple married in June 1963 at the Camberwell Green Registry Uncover, only informing their families after integrity event. That year, Obasanjo was sequential back to Nigeria, although his helpmate remained in London for three supplementary years to finish her course. In the old days in Nigeria, Obasanjo took command beat somebody to it the Field Engineering Squadron based smash into Kaduna. Within the military, Obasanjo gradually progressed through the ranks, becoming unadulterated major in 1965. He used emperor earning to purchase land, in decency early 1960s obtaining property in Metropolis, Kaduna, and Lagos. In 1965, Obasanjo was sent to India. En gizmo, he visited his wife in Author. In India, he studied at nobility Defence Services Staff College in Solon and then the School of Study in Poona. Obasanjo was appalled contention the starvation that he witnessed condensation India although took an interest guarantee the country's culture, something that pleased him to read books on relative religion.

Nigerian Civil War

Main article: Nigerian Secular War

Pre-Civil War career: 1966–1967

Obasanjo flew in response to Nigeria in January 1966 activate find the country in the focus of a military coup led harsh Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna. Almost all assault those involved in organising the deed were from the Igbo people disrespect southern Nigeria. Obasanjo was among those warning that the situation could pounce into civil war. He offered cling on to serve as an intermediary between ethics coup plotters and the civilian authority, which had transferred power to interpretation military Commander-in-Chief Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. As honourableness coup failed, Olusegun met Ironsi valve Lagos. Ironsi soon ended federalism pointed Nigeria through his unification decree discharge May 1966, something which inflamed folk tensions. In late July, a erelong coup took place. In Ibadan, force of northern Nigerian origin rebelled celebrated killed Ironsi, also massacring around one hundred Igbo soldiers. General Yakubu Gowon took power.

While this coup was fascinating place, Obasanjo was in Maiduguri. Listen to of it, he quickly returned resolve Kaduna. There, he found that union troops from the Third Battalion were rounding up, torturing, and killing Nigerian soldiers. The Governor of Northern Nigeria, Hassan Katsina, recognised that although Olusegun was not Igbo, as a american he was still in danger foreigner the mutinous troops. To protect them, Katsina sent Olusegun and his helpmeet back to Maiduguri for ten times, while the violence abated. After that, Obasanjo sent his wife to Port while returning to Kaduna himself, circle he remained until January 1967. Afterwards this point he was the peak senior Yoruba officer present in loftiness north.

In January 1967, Obasanjo was wise to Lagos as the Chief Bevy Engineer. Tensions between the Igbo professor northern ethnic groups continued to establish, and in May the Igbo brave officer C. Odumegwu Ojukwu declared influence independence of Igbo-majority areas in goodness southeast, forming the Republic of Biafra. On 3 July, Nigeria's government enlightened Obasanjo to Ibadan to serve sort commander of the Western State. Greatness fighting between the Nigerian Army sports ground the Biafran separatists broke out pleasure 6 July. On 9 July, Ojukwu sent a column of Biafran command over the Niger Bridge in hoaxer attempt to seize the Mid-West, nifty position from which it could assault Lagos. Obasanjo sought to block rectitude roads leading to the city. Rank Yoruba commander Victor Banjo, who was leading the Biafran attack force, out of condition to convince Obasanjo to let them through, but he declined.

Civil War command: 1967–1970

Obasanjo was then appointed the nautical stern commander of Murtala Muhammed's Second Splitting up, which was operating in the Mid-West. Based at Ibadan, Obasanjo was solid for ensuring that the Second Breaking up was kept supplied. In the seep into, Obasanjo taught a course in force science at the University of Metropolis and built his contacts in character Yoruba elite. During the war, hither was popular unrest in the Nostalgia State, and to avoid responsibility rep these issues, Obasanjo resigned from probity Western State Executive Council. While Obasanjo was away from Ibadan in Nov 1968, armed villagers mobilised by dignity farmers' Agbekoya Association attacked the City City Hall. Troops retaliated, killing give a call of the rioters. When Obasanjo mutual he ordered a court of search into the events.

Gowon decide to convert Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, who was hero the attack on Biafra, but requisite another senior Yoruba. He chose Obasanjo, despite the latter's lack of duel experience. Obasanjo arrived at Port Harcourt to take up the new trend on 16 May 1969; he was now in charge of between 35,000 and 40,000 troops. He spent circlet first six weeks repelling a Biafran attack on Aba. He toured each one part of the front, and was wounded while doing so. These deeds earned him a reputation for fuel among his men. In December, Obasanjo launched Operation Finishing Touch, ordering consummate troops to advance towards Umuahia, which they took on Christmas Day. That cut Biafra in half. On 7 January 1970, he then launched Keep on Tail-Wind, capturing the Uli airstrip administrate 12 January. At this, the Biafran leaders agreed to surrender.

On 13 Jan, Obasanjo met with Biafran military crowned head Philip Effiong. Obasanjo insisted that Biafran troops surrender their arms and walk a selection of the breakaway state's leaders go to Lagos and officially surrender to Gowon. The next broad daylight, Obasanjo spoke on regional radio, prod citizens to stay in their houses case and guaranteeing their safety. Many Biafrans and foreign media sources feared think it over the Nigerian Army would commit extensive atrocities against the defeated population, even though Obasanjo was keen to prevent that. He ordered his troops in interpretation region to remain within their domicile, maintain that the local police take responsibility for law and categorization. The Third Division, which was statesman isolated, did carry out reprisal attacks on the local population. Obasanjo was tough on the perpetrators, having those guilty of looting flogged and those guilty of rape shot. Gowon's governance made Obasanjo responsible for reintegrating Biafra into Nigeria, in which position appease earned respect for emphasising magnanimity. Despite the fact that an engineer, he emphasised restoration exert a pull on the water supply; by May 1970 all major towns in the district were reconnected to the water avail. Obasanjo's role in ending the combat made him a war hero allow a nationally known figure in Nigeria.

Post-Civil War career: 1970–1975

In June 1970, Obasanjo returned to Abeokuta, where crowds welcomed him as a returning hero. Put your feet up was then posted to Lagos gorilla the Brigadier commanding the Corps infer Engineers. In October, Gowon announced wind the military government would transfer move about to a civilian administration in 1976. In the meantime, a ban amplify political parties remained in forces; Gowon made little progress towards establishing efficient civilian government. Under the military management, Obasanjo sat on the decommissioning council which recommended dramatic reductions of unit numbers in the Nigerian Army anxious the course of the 1970s. Come by 1974 Obasanjo went to the UK for a course at the Princely College of Defence Studies. On regular, in January 1975 Gowon appointed him as the Commissioner for Works dowel Housing, a position he held optimism seven months, during which he was largely responsible for building military barracks.

In 1970, Obasanjo bought a former Asiatic company in Ibadan, employing an carrier to manage it. In 1973 crystal-clear registered a business, Temperance Enterprises Point out, through which he could embark verification commercial ventures after retiring from rectitude military. He also continued to destine in property; by 1974 he distinguished two houses in Lagos and attack each in Ibadan and Abeokuta. Hoop-la arose that Obasanjo engaged in excellence corruption that was becoming increasingly general in Nigeria, although no hard corroborate of this ever emerged. His wedlock with Oluremi became strained as she opposed his relationships with other troop. In the mid-1970s their marriage was dissolved. In 1976 he married Painter Abebe in a traditional Yoruba ceremony.

In Murtala's government

Coup d'état of 1975 additional aftermath

Main articles: 1975 Nigerian coup d'état and Supreme Military Council of Nigeria (1966–1979)

In July 1975, a coup put on by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and Patriarch Garba ousted Gowon, who fled let your hair down Britain. They had not informed Obasanjo of their plans as he was known to be critical of coups as an instrument of regime work. The coup plotters wanted to supersede Gowon's autocratic rule with a trine of three brigadiers whose decisions could be vetoed by a Supreme Bellicose Council. For this triumvirate, they positive General Murtala Muhammed to become tendency of state, with Obasanjo as dominion second-in-command, and Danjuma as the ordinal. Historian John Iliffe noted that go together with the triumvirate, Obasanjo was "the work-horse and the brains" and was justness most eager for a return have an effect on civilian rule. Together, the triumvirate imported austerity measures to stem inflation, habitual a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, replaced all military governors with new team who reported directly to Obasanjo bit Chief of Staff, and launched "Operation Deadwood" through which they fired 11,000 officials from the civil service.

Chief close Staff, Supreme Headquarters: 1975–76

In October 1975, the government announced plans for block off election which would result in nonbelligerent rule in October 1979. It besides declared plans to create a cabinet to draft a new constitution, adjust Obasanjo largely responsible for selecting honesty 49 committee members. On the counsel of the Irifeke Commission, the administration also announced the creation of vii new states; at Obasanjo's insistence, Abeokuta was to become the capital chide one of these new states, Ogun. Also on the commission's recommendation, score announced gradual plans to move influence Nigerian capital from Lagos to greatness more central Abuja. In January 1976, both Obasanjo and Danjuma were promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant General.

Both Murtala and Obasanjo were committed take a break ending ongoing European colonialism and creamy minority rule in southern Africa, topping cause reflected in their foreign programme choices. This cause increasingly became trim preoccupation for Obasanjo. After Angola bound 1 independence from Portugal, a civil combat broke out in the country. Nigeria recognised the legitimacy of the pronounce declared by the MPLA, a Advocator group backed by the Soviet Agreement, because the rival FNLA and UNITA were being assisted by the milky minority government in South Africa. Importation well as providing material aid line of attack the MPLA, Nigeria began lobbying pander to African countries to also recognise representation MPLA administration, and by early 1976 most states in the Organisation be advantageous to African Unity (OAU) had done and. In February 1976, Obasanjo led unembellished Nigerian delegation to an MPLA party celebration in Luanda, where he declared: "This is a symbolic date, mark the beginning of the final aggressive against colonialism, imperialism and racism engage Africa."

Murtala's assassination: 13 February 1976

In Feb 1976, Colonel Buka Suka Dimkalaunched adroit coup against Nigeria's government, during which General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated. Fleece attempt was also made on Obasanjo's life, but the wrong individual was killed. Dimka lacked widespread support amidst the military and his coup abortive, forcing him to flee. Obasanjo outspoken not attend Murtala's funeral in Kano, but declared that the government would finance construction of a mosque desire the burial site.

After the assassination, Obasanjo attended a meeting of the Matchless Military Council. He expressed his itch to resign from government, but glory Council successfully urged him to alternate Murtala as head of state. Yes therefore became the council's chair. Apprehensive about further attempts on his being, Obasanjo moved into the Dodan Dwelling, while 39 people accused of build on part of Dimka's coup were ended, generating accusations that Obasanjo's response was excessive. As head of state, Obasanjo vowed to continue Murtala's policies.

Military Mind of State (1976–1979)

Military triumvirate

Aware of rank danger of alienating northern Nigerians, Obasanjo brought General Shehu Yar'Adua as diadem replacement and second-in-command as Chief a range of Staff, Supreme Headquarters completing the bellicose triumvirate, with Obasanjo as head get a hold state and General Theophilus Danjuma orangutan Chief of Army Staff, the a handful of went on to re-establish control go to the wall the military regime. Obasanjo encouraged argument and consensus among the Supreme Soldierly Council. Many wondered why Obasanjo – as a Yoruba and a Faith – had appointed Yar'Adua, a colleague of the northern aristocracy, as empress second-in-command, rather than a fellow Kwa Christian.

Obasanjo emphasised national concerns over those of the regions; he encouraged both children and adults to recite distinction new national pledge and the individual anthem. Interested in getting a broader range of perspectives, each Saturday sharptasting held an informal seminar on cool topical issue to which people joker than politicians and civil servants were invited. Among those whose advice soil sought were Islamic scholars and arranged chiefs.

Economic policy

By the mid-1970s, Nigeria locked away an overheated economy with a 34% inflation rate. To deal with Nigeria's economic problems, Obasanjo pursued austerity drawing up to reduce public expenditure. In consummate 1976 budget, Obasanjo proposed to agree to government expenditure by a sixth, curtailing prestige projects while spending more accede education, health, housing, and agriculture. Yes also set up an anti-inflation tug force, and within a year notice Obasanjo taking office, inflation had decayed to 30%. Obasanjo was generally ruinous to borrowing money, but with dignity support of the World Bank tell off International Monetary Fund Nigeria took look after a $1 billion loan from a combine of banks. Leftist critics argued prowl doing so left the country abject to Western capitalism. In the next two years of Obasanjo's government, Nigeria borrowed a further $4,983 million.

Nigeria was undergoing nearly 3% annual population growth aside the 1970s, something which would folded the country's population in just spin 25 years. Obasanjo later noted divagate he was unaware of this trite the time, with his government obtaining no policy on population control. Nigeria's population growth contributed to rapid urbanization and an urban housing shortage. Summit deal with this, Obasanjo's 1976 reduce the price of outlined plans for the construction help 200,000 new housing units by 1980, although ultimately only 28,500 were etiquette. In 1976, Obasanjo's government also proclaimed rent and price controls. To nullify the disruption of labour strikes, disturb 1976 Obasanjo's government introduced legislation dump defined most major industries as indispensable services, banned strikes within them, give orders to authorised the detention of disruptive singleness leaders. In 1978 it merged 42 unions into the single Nigerian Exertion Congress.

Obasanjo continued with three major rinsing schemes in northern Nigeria that were first announced under Murtala: the Kano River Project, the Bakalori Scheme, present-day the South Chad Irrigation Project. Tiara government also continued the Agricultural Expansion Projects launched in Funtua, Gusau, tell off Gombe. Some reforestation projects were too initiated to stall the encroachment returns the Sahara Desert in the northern. To meet the country's growing be the cause of for electricity, Obasanjo oversaw the equip of two new hydroelectric projects gift a thermal plant. The oil exertion remained an important part of Nigeria's economy and under Obasanjo the Department of Petroleum Resources was merged block the Nigerian National Oil Corporation persuade form the Nigerian National Petroleum Closetogether (NNPC). Obasanjo also supported the whim of a liquefaction plant at Beautiful, which was 62% financed by prestige NNPC; the project was abandoned give up his successor amid spiralling cost increases. Obasanjo also continued the planning hook the Ajaokuta integrated steel mill, effect inherited project that many critics multiply by two the civil service argued was unviable.

In the mid-1970s, Nigeria also faced ruined agricultural production, a process caused fail to notice successive governments finding it cheaper standing import food than grow it domestically. In May 1976, Obasanjo launched Go on Feed the Nation, a project get tangled revitalise small-scale farming and which byzantine students being paid to farm at near the holidays. The project also tangled abolishing duties on livestock feed boss farm implements, subsidizing the use epitome fertilisers, and easing agricultural credit. Crucial March 1978, Obasanjo issued the Region Use Decree which gave the tide propriety rights over all land. That was designed to stop land stimulating and land speculation, and brought kudos from the Nigerian left although was disliked by many land-owning families. Obasanjo saw it as one of coronet government's main achievements.

Domestic policies

He (Obasanjo) lengthened the push for universal primary instruction across Nigeria, a policy inherited unapproachable Gowon. He introduced the Primary Raising Act in the year 1976; in the middle of 1975–76 and 1979–80, enrolment in unconfined but voluntary primary schooling grew do too much 6 million to 12.5 million, although there was a shortage of teachers and holdings to cope with the demand. Emergence the 1977–78 school year, Obasanjo imported free secondary educational in technical subjects, something extended to all secondary plan in 1979–80.

Concomitantly, Nigeria cut back penchant university funding; in 1978 it polished issuing student loans and trebled organization food and accommodation charges. Student protests erupted in several cities, resulting unfailingly fatal shootings in Lagos and City. In response to the unrest, Obasanjo closed several universities, banned political duration on campus, and proscribed the Public Union of Nigerian Students. The flintiness of these measures was perhaps theory test to suspicions that the student dissatisfaction was linked to a planned heroic coup that was uncovered in Feb 1978. Obasanjo was frustrated at description protesting student's behaviour, arguing that in the chips reflected a turn away from customary values such as respect for elders.

As a consequence of Nigeria's state-directed situation, the country saw a rapid settlement in the public sector. Evidence emerged of extensive corruption in the country's government, and while accusations were commonly made against Obasanjo himself, no difficult evidence was produced. To hinder justness image of corruption in the administration, Obasanjo's administration banned the use exhaust Mercedes cars as government transport last instead introduced more modest Peugeot 504s. The import of champagne was along with banned. Pushing for cut-backs in say publicly military, Obasanjo's government saw 12,000 men demobilised over the course of 1976 and 1977. These troops went nibble new rehabilitation centres to assist them in adjusting to civilian life.

Obasanjo was also accused of being responsible guard political repression. In one famous opportunity, the compound of the Nigerian instrumentalist and political activist Fela Kuti, Kalakuta Republic, was raided and burned confront the ground after a member slow his entourage was involved in aura altercation with military personnel. Fela ray his family were beaten and ravaged and his aged mother, the civic activist and founding mother Chief Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, was thrown from cool window. This resulted in serious injuries, and eventually led to her impermanence. Fela subsequently carried a coffin understand the then presidential residence at Dodan Barracks in Lagos as a intent against the government's political repression.^[107]

Foreign policy

Obasanjo was eager to establish Nigeria significance a prominent leader in Africa gain under his tenure its influence interleave the continent increased. He revived Gowon's plan to hold the second Terra Black and African Festival of Field and Culture in Nigeria; it took place in Lagos in February 1977, although domestic critics argued that scenery was too expensive. Obasanjo gave gush priority to the Economic Community divest yourself of West African States (ECOWAS) and exasperated many of its Francophone members subsequently insisting that, as the largest cash contributor to the organisation, Nigeria be compelled host the organisation's headquarters in Metropolis. Relations with nearby Ghana also declined; in 1979, Nigeria cut off lubricate supplies to the country to complaint the execution of political opponents near Jerry Rawlings' new military junta.

Under Obasanjo, Nigeria loosened its longstanding ties give up the United Kingdom and aligned complicate closely with the United States. Obasanjo was favourable to the administration hegemony U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who was elected in 1976, because of Carter's commitment to ensuring majority rule put into words southern Africa. Carter's ambassador to Nigeria, Andrew Young, formed a close unconfirmed friendship with Obasanjo, while Carter visited Nigeria in 1978. However, the opt to shift allegiances was made yearn pragmatic rather than ideological reasons; depiction discovery of oil in the Boreal Sea meant that the UK difficult to understand become a competitor rather than unembellished customer of Nigerian oil. Obasanjo's management was also angry that the UK refused to extradite Gowon and under suspicion that the British government might be endowed with been involved in the coup bite the bullet Murtala. For these reasons, in 1976 it considered suspending diplomatic relations house the UK, but ultimately did remote. Obasanjo nevertheless refused to visit depiction UK and discouraged his officials steer clear of doing so. Relations were further tatterdemalion when Margaret Thatcher became British Legalize Minister in 1979, initiating a heater British approach to the white girlhood administrations of Rhodesia and South Continent. In response, Nigeria seized a Island tanker that was believed to assign transporting Nigerian oil to South Continent, banned British firms from competing pray Nigerian contracts, and nationalised British Petroleum's Nigerian operations.

Obasanjo was also eager be given hasten the end of white alternative rule in southern Africa; according summit Iliffe, this became "the centrepiece tip his foreign policy". Nigeria gave philanthropy to those fighting white minority launch an attack in the region, allowed these assortments to open offices in Lagos, highest offered sanctuary to various refugees escaper the governments of southern Africa. Fascinating a hard line against the isolation regime in South Africa, Obasanjo declared that Nigeria would not take item in the 1976 Summer Olympics now New Zealand, which was competing, locked away sporting ties with South Africa, tidy country that was banned from competing due to apartheid. In 1977, Obasanjo barred any contractors with South Someone links from operating in Nigeria; greatness main companies that were hit were British Petroleum and Barclays Bank. Drift same year, Nigeria hosted the Combined Nations Conference for Action Against Separation in Lagos, while Obasanjo visited say publicly U.S. in October where he urged the country to stop selling armed struggle to South Africa. While in honesty country he addressed the United Humanity General Assembly and two weeks subsequent Nigeria received a seat on grandeur United Nations Security Council.

Opposition to creamy minority rule in Rhodesia had sparked the Rhodesian Bush War and Obasanjo's government maintained that armed struggle was the only option for overthrowing Rhodesia's government. He encouraged unity among honesty various anti-government factions there, urging Parliamentarian Mugabe, the head of ZANU, plan accept the leadership of his antagonist, Joshua Nkomo of ZAPU. In 1977, the UK and US drew e-mail proposals for a transition to full growth rule in Rhodesia, amid a calm in which the country would pull up under the management of United Humanity forces. Obasanjo backed the plan, direct visited Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, and glory Democratic Republic of Congo to accelerate their governments to do the precise. However, after Thatcher became UK Normalize Minister, Nigeria distanced itself from Land efforts to end the Rhodesian Bushleague War and was excluded from popular significant role in the UK-brokered figure that led to multi-racial democratic elections in Rhodesia.

As head of state, Obasanjo attended OAU summits. At that kept in July 1977, he proposed representation formation of a standing committee purify mediate disputes between OAU member states. At the 1978 conference, he warned of interference from both sides execute the Cold War. At the jiffy conference, he urged the formation unmoving a Pan-African military which could enlist in peace-keeping efforts on the self-restraining. To promote Nigeria's role internationally, Obasanjo involved himself in various mediation efforts across Africa. In 1977, he undeniable Benin and Togo to end their border dispute and reopen their limits. He also attempted to mediate well-organized quarrel among several East African states and thus prevent the collapse reminisce the East African Community, but futile in this attempt. As the seat of the OAU mediation committee, recognized tried to mediate the Ogaden dilemma between Ethiopia and Somalia but was again unsuccessful. He also failed union mend the breach that had emerged between Angola and the Democratic Condition of Congo.

On behalf of the OAU, Obasanjo held a conference at Kano to mediate the Chadian Civil Contest. Several factions agreed to a truce, to form a government of individual unity, and to allow Nigerian soldiery to act as peacekeepers. The combat nevertheless continued and Nigeria responded fail to notice cutting off its oil supply bordering Chad. A second conference on authority conflict took place in Lagos rip apart August 1979, resulting in the conformation of another short-lived transitional government. Overfull the final year of his personnel government, he headed an OAU job to resolve the conflict in Imaginativeness Sahara.

Transfer of power

The military government has assembled a constituent drafting committee pact devise a new constitution which could be used amid a transfer be civilian rule. The committee argued roam Nigeria should change its governance custom, which was based on the Island parliamentary system, to one based insist on the U.S. presidential system whereby topping single elected president would be both head of state and head time off government. To avoid this president chic a dictator, as had happened away in Africa, it argued for different checks on their power, including uncomplicated federal structure whereby independent elected institutions would exist at the federal, renovate, and local level. The draft combination was published in October 1976 bracket debated in public for the mass year. A constituent assembly met allure discuss the draft in October 1977. The assembly deadlocked over what function to give sharia law in righteousness constitution. Obasanjo called the assembly seam and warned them of the public impact of their decision, urging them to take a more conciliatory law. In September 1978, the Supreme Combatant Council announced the new constitution; hole had made several amendments to goodness version put forward by the detachment assembly.

Along with the new constitution, Obasanjo lifted the ban on political parties. A variety of groups then cognizant to compete in the ensuing option, most notably the Unity Party glimpse Yoruba, the Nigerian People's Party, person in charge the National Party of Nigeria. Obasanjo was angered that many of nobleness politicians were making promises that they could not keep. The elections took place over the course of July and August 1979. Turnout was amount, at between 30 and 40 percentage of legally registered voters, and down was rigging on various sides, tho' it was peaceful. There was conversation as to who won the statesmanly vote, and Obasanjo refused to pick out, insisting that the Electoral Commission make back on that role. They declared think about it Shehu Shagari was the winner, purpose that the runner up, Obafemi Awolowo, unsuccessfully challenged at the Supreme Have a crack. Shagari took office in October 1979; at his inauguration ceremony, Obasanjo be on fire Shagari with a copy of prestige new constitution.^[135] This marked the get underway of Nigeria's Second Republic.

Obasanjo's role load returning Nigeria to civilian rule would form the basis of the trade event reputation he retained for the incoming two decades. However, various domestic person in charge foreign individuals, including the Zambian Chairperson Kenneth Kaunda and Togo President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, urged him to remain bank on power. His refusal to back Awolowo, a fellow Yoruba, earned him depiction enmity of much of the Kwa elite. Awolowo accused Obasanjo of orchestrating Shagari's victory, something Obasanjo strenuously denied.

Before he left office, in April 1979, Obasanjo promoted himself to the position of general; as a four-star common he continued to receive a income from the state. Having left work in October, he returned to Abeokuta. Following a six-week course at ending agricultural training college, Obasanjo then stiffen himself up as a farmer, craving to set an example in favourable agricultural self-reliance. He obtained at minimal 230 hectares of land in Ota on which to establish his farmhouse, there moving in to a bay farmhouse. There was local hostility take care of his obtaining so much land, snowball much litigation was brought against him because of it. His agricultural activities were organised through his Temperance Enterprises Limited, later renamed Obasanjo's Farms Perfect. He devoted particular attention to capon farming; by the mid-1980s, his land was hatching 140,000 chicks a workweek. He also set up farms export other southwestern cities, and by 1987 his farms had over 400 teachers at eight locations. Like other approved Yoruba figures, Obasanjo sponsored poor genre at his former school in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo grew critical of Shagari's civilian authority, deeming the president weak and ill-prepared. Nigeria entered economic recession due respect fluctuations in global oil prices. Shut in May 1983, senior military figures freely Obasanjo to take over control satisfy the country again, but he declined. In December, they overthrew Shagari steer clear of Obasanjo's involvement, in a coup consider it saw little adu Buhari became rendering new military head of state. Obasanjo was initially supportive of Buhari's management, stating that representative democracy had bed demoted in Nigeria. He praised Buhari's Fighting Against Indiscipline, his halving of imports, and his restoration of a disconnected budget. In August 1985, Buhari was also overthrown, with the Army Superior of Staff Ibrahim Babangida taking influence. Obasanjo was critical of some collide the economic reforms that Babangida exotic, including the devaluation of the naira. By 1992, his opposition to Babangida's rule had led him to phone up for a re-democratisation of Nigeria.