GCE Government 2022 Theory — Question 12

Model answer

- Abuse of power/dictatorship: abuse of power by the civilian government and an act of dictatorship by them often attract the military to power. - Manipulation of the judiciary and judicial system: manipulation of the judiciary by the elected civilians by influencing the decision of the judiciary in other to favour them and their party which has been a major boost for military to come to power. - Corruption in government/corrupt government officials: large scale of corruption by the civilian to loot the public treasury, parading of ill-gotten wealth before the hungry and toiling masses, including distribution of amenities based on ethnic factors, open invitation for military intervention in Nigeria politics. - Electoral manipulation: manipulation of election results to favour the ruling party has always been the catalyst that prompts the military to disrupt democratic process. - Cronyism, nepotism and open bias of government. - Economic mismanagement: the military often come to power with the hope of righting the economic wrongs done by the civilians the civilians embarked on prestigious and economically unviable projects with the aim of getting their percent. - Disregard for Rule of Law: civilians often disobey the court order and find it difficult to adhere strictly to the constitution. They governed arbitrarily. - Suppression of political opponents: the ruling party often intimidate the opposition to prevent them from performing their constitutional role as the watchdog. - Abuse of the Fundamental Human Rights of citizens. - Undue interference in the affairs of the military: undue politicization of the army by the civilian is another reason for military intervention. - Weak and ineffective leadership: the weakness of the democratically elected government to discharge their duty and govern the government with strong leadership. - Military also intervene in politics due to general insecurity and breakdown of law and order in the country. - Failure to uphold the tenets of the constitution: failure of a civilian government to adhere strictly to the principle of the constitution. - Government's failure to provide leadership in the provision of social and infrastructural service; unfulfilled campaign promises: failure to fulfil electoral promises promised to the people during campaign invites the military into politics.