In this retro series, NAIJ.com looks back at what led to the launch of the first War Against Indiscipline in 1984 by the administration of the then General Muhammadu Buhari.
The re-launch of the War Against Indiscipline by President Muhammadu Buhari has brought back memories of a similar move he made when he was the military head of state in 1984.
Buhari overthrew the then president, Shehu Shagari on December 31, 1983, amid allegation that the administration was corruption-ridden. Buhari came in on the mantle of clearing the alleged rot that had permeated the administration of Shagari.
The infamous Dikko affair was a highlight that showed the strong stance the administration of Buhari and his deputy, Tunde Idiagbon had against corruption and indiscipline and it soon became a reference point in describing the high-handed and intolerant manner the duo engaged acts perceived to reek of corruption and indiscipline.
READ ALSO: Nigerians criticise Buhari over War Against Indiscipline
Brigadier Sani Abacha who master-minded the coup that ushered Buhari into power gave a broadcast that would show the reason for the coup and what Nigerians should expect.
Read the speech below:
Fellow countrymen and women, I, Brigadier Sani Abacha, of the Nigerian army address you this morning on behalf of the Nigerian armed forces.
You are all living witnesses to the great economic predicament and uncertainty, which an inept and corrupt leadership hasnimposed on our beloved nation for the past four years. I am referring to the harsh, intolerable conditions under which we are now living. Our economy has been hopelessly mismanaged. We have become a debtor and beggar nation. There is inadequacy of food at reasonable prices for our people who are now fed up with endless announcements of importation of foodstuffs. Health services are in shambles as our hospitals are reduced to mere consulting clinics without drugs, water and equipment. Our educational system is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Unemployment figures including the undergraduates have reached embarrassing and unacceptable proportions. In some states, workers are being owed salary arrears of eight to twelve months and in others there are threats of salary cuts.
Yet our leaders revel in squandermania, corruption and indiscipline, and continue to proliferate public appointments in complete disregard of our stark economic realities. After due consultations over these deplorable conditions, I and my colleagues in the armed forces have in the discharge of our national role as promoters and protectors of our national interest decided to effect a change in the leadership of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and form a Federal Military Government. This task has just been completed.
googletag.cmd.push(function () {
googletag.display(“div-gpt-ad-1466009690089-0”)
});
The Federal Military Government hereby decrees the suspension of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 relating to all elective and appointive offices and representative institutions including the office of the President, state governors, federal and state executive councils, special advisers, special assistants, the establishment of the National Assembly and the Houses of Assembly including the formation of political parties.
Accordingly, Alhaji Shehu Usman Shagari ceases forthwith to be the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria . All the incumbents of the above named offices shall, if they have not already done so, vacate their formal official residences, surrender all government property in their possession and report to the nearest police station in their constituencies within seven days.
READ ALSO: Top 7 things the relaunching of War Against Indiscipline brigade means
The clerk of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives shall, within two weeks, render account of all the properties of the National Assembly. All the political parties are banned; the bank account of FEDECO and all the political parties are frozen with immediate effect. All foreigners living in any part of the country are assured of their safety and will be adequately protected.
Tunde Idiagbon
Henceforth, workers not on essential duties are advised to keep off the streets. All categories of workers on essential duties will, however, report at their places of work immediately. With effect from today, a dusk to dawn curfew will be imposed between 7pm and 6am each day until further notice. All airways flights have been suspended forthwith and all airports, seaports, and border posts closed. External communications have been cut. The Customs and Excise, Immigration and the Police will maintain vigilance and ensure watertight security at the borders. The area administrators or commanders will have themselves to blame if any of the wanted people escape.
READ ALSO: 5 people who benefited from 1966 counter coup
Fellow countrymen and women, the change in government has been a bloodless and painstaking operation and we do not want anyone to lose his or her life. People are warned in their own interest to be law-abiding and to give the Federal Military Government maximum cooperation. Anyone caught disturbing public order will be summarily dealt with. For avoidance of doubt, you are forewarned that we shall not hesitate to declare martial law in any area or state of the federation in which disturbances occur.
Fellow countrymen and women and comrades at arms, I will like to assure you that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is ready to lay its life for our dear nation but not for the present irresponsible leadership of the past civilian administration. You are to await further announcements, 1 NIGERIA!
On March 20, 1984, Idiagbon formally announced the War Against Indiscipline scheme that was meant to combat acts of corruption as well as seemingly minute issues like rushing into a bus and littering the environment. It also extended to a crack-down on the inflation of goods in the market. However, the administration was criticised for its high-handed nature as was considered a catalyst for the overthrow of the administration by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
The post Retro series: Why Buhari launched the first War Against Indiscipline in 1984 (video) appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read Naij.com 24/7.
via Tumblr http://ift.tt/2aVQOJg
No comments:
Post a Comment