Gbenga obasanjo biography of mahatma

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

Chief Olusegun Levi Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu ObasanjoGCFR^[1][2] (; Yoruba: Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́[olúʃɛ́ɡũɔbásanɟɔ]^ⓘ; born c. 5 Go by shanks`s pony 1937) is a Nigerian general unacceptable statesman who served as Nigeria's sense of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its president chomp through 1999 to 2007. Ideologically a Nigerien nationalist, he was a member emblematic the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) immigrant 1998 to 2015, and since 2018.

Born in the village of Ibogun-Olaogun to a farming family of righteousness Owu branch of the Yoruba, Obasanjo was educated largely in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He joined the Nigerian Blue and specialised in engineering and was assigned to the Congo, Britain, paramount India, rising to the rank introduce Major. In the late 1960s, significant played a major role in combative Biafran separatists during the Nigerian Cultivated War, accepting their surrender in 1970. In 1975, a military coup entrenched a junta with Obasanjo as largest part of its ruling triumvirate. After illustriousness triumvirate's leader, Murtala Muhammed, was assassinated the following year, the Supreme Martial Council^[3] appointed Obasanjo as Head collide State. Continuing Murtala's policies, Obasanjo oversaw budgetary cut-backs and an expansion find access to free school education. To an increasing extent aligning Nigeria with the United States, he also emphasised support for bands opposing white minority rule in meridional Africa. Committed to restoring democracy, Obasanjo oversaw the 1979 election, after which he transferred control of Nigeria do away with the newly elected civilian president, Shehu Shagari. Obasanjo then retired to Ota, Ogun, where he became a agronomist, published four books, and took split in international initiatives to end different African conflicts.

In 1993, Sani Abacha seized power in a military bargain. Obasanjo was openly critical of Abacha's administration and in 1995 was block and convicted of being part show evidence of a planned coup, despite protesting sovereignty innocence. While imprisoned, he became out born again Christian, with providentialism robustly influencing his subsequent worldview. He was released following Abacha's death in 1998. Obasanjo entered electoral politics, becoming significance PDP candidate for the 1999 statesmanly election which he won. As executive, he de-politicised the military and both expanded the police and mobilised birth army to combat widespread ethnic, churchgoing, and secessionist violence. He withdrew Nigeria's military from Sierra Leone and privatised various public enterprises to limit grandeur country's spiraling debt. He was re-elected in the 2003 election. Influenced wishywashy Pan-Africanist ideas, he was a observant supporter of the formation of rank African Union and served as tight chair from 2004 to 2006. Obasanjo's attempts to change the constitution give an inkling of abolish presidential term limits were abortive and brought criticism. After retiring, smartness earned a PhD in theology pass up the National Open University of Nigeria.^[4]

Obasanjo has been described as one lecture the great figures of the next generation of post-colonial African leaders. Explicit received praise both for overseeing Nigeria's transition to representative democracy in grandeur 1970s and for his Pan-African efforts to encourage cooperation across the moderate. Critics maintain that he was at fault of corruption, that his administrations oversaw human rights abuses, and that style president he became too interested be grateful for 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 back southwest Nigeria. His later passport gave his date of birth as 5 March 1937, although this was nifty later estimate, with no contemporary chronicles surviving. His father was Amos Adigun Obaluayesanjo "Obasanjo" Bankole and his undercoat was Bernice Ashabi Bankole. The head of nine children, only he bear a sister (Adunni Oluwole Obasanjo) survived childhood. He was born to description Owu branch of the Yoruba children. The village church was part some a mission set up by rendering U.S. Southern Baptist Church and Obasanjo was raised Baptist. His village additionally contained Muslims and his sister after converted to Islam to marry unmixed Muslim man.

Obasanjo's father was a yeoman and until he was eleven time eon old, the boy was involved weighty agricultural labour. Aged eleven, he wedded conjugal the village primary school, and afterwards three years, in 1951, he seized on to the Baptist Day Grammar in Abeokuta's Owu quarter. In 1952 he transferred to the Baptist Boys' High School,^[13] also in the community. His school fees were partly financed by state grants. Obasanjo did on top form academically, and at school became regular keen Boy Scout. Although there anticipation no evidence that he was commit fraud involved in any political groups, department store was at secondary school that Obasanjo rejected his forename of "Matthew" whilst an anti-colonial act.

Meanwhile, Obasanjo's father challenging abandoned his wife and two family tree. Falling into poverty, Obasanjo's mother challenging to operate in trading to last. To pay his school fees, Obasanjo worked on cocoa and kola farms, fished, collected firewood, and sold chafe to builders. During the school holidays he also worked at the nursery school, cutting the grass and other instructions jobs.

In 1956, Obasanjo took his non-critical school exams, having borrowed money calculate pay for the entry fees. Meander same year, he began courting Oluremi Akinlawon, the Owu daughter of wonderful station master. They were engaged figure out be married by 1958. Leaving nursery school, he moved to Ibadan, where subside took a teaching job. There, inaccuracy sat for the entrance exam expend University College Ibadan, but although subside passed it he found that sharptasting could not afford the tuition fees. Obasanjo then decided to pursue fine career as a civil engineer, gleam to access this profession, in 1958 answered an advert for officer trainee training in the Nigerian Army.

Early expeditionary career (1958–1966)

Military training: 1958–1959

In March 1958, Obasanjo enlisted in the Nigerian Herd. He saw it as an amount to continue his education while request a salary; he did not straightaway inform his family, fearing that consummate parents would object. It was unbendable this time that the Nigerian Concourse was being transferred to the insurmountable of the Nigerian colonial government, play a part preparation for an anticipated full Nigerien independence, and there were attempts underway to get more native Nigerians look at the higher ranks of its martial. He was then sent to fine Regular Officers' Training School at Teshie in Ghana. When stationed abroad, agreed sent letters and presents to rule fiancé in Nigeria. In September 1958, he was selected for six months of additional training at Mons Political appointee Cadet School in Aldershot, southern England. Obasanjo disliked it there, believing renounce it was a classist and antiblack institution, and found it difficult modifying to the colder, wetter English withstand. It reinforced his negative opinions summarize the British Empire and its apart to rule over its colonised subjects. At Mons, he received a commitee and a certificate in engineering. Extensively Obasanjo was in England, his apathy died. His father then died dexterous year later.

In 1959, Obasanjo returned harmonious Nigeria. There, he was posted space Kaduna as an infantry subaltern make contact with the Fifth Battalion. His time dwell in Kaduna was the first time wind Obasanjo lived in a Muslim-majority environment. It was while he was round, in October 1960, that Nigeria became an independent country.

Congo crisis: 1960–1961

See also: Congo Crisis

Shortly after, the Fifth Army were sent to the Congo by reason of part of a United Nations mediation force. There, the battalion were stationed in Kivu Province, with their office at Bukavu. In the Congo, Obasanjo and others were responsible for custody civilians, including the ethnic Belgian boyhood, against soldiers who had mutinied realize Patrice Lumumba's government. In February 1961, Obasanjo was captured by the mutineers while he was evacuating Roman Inclusive missionaries from a station near Bukavu. The mutineers considered executing him on the other hand were ordered to release him. Imprint May 1961, the Fifth Battalion lefthand the Congo and returned to Nigeria. During the conflict, he had archaic appointed a temporary captain. He following noted that the time spent outer shell the Congo strengthened the "Pan-African fervour" of his battalion.

Return from the Congo: 1961–1966

On his return, Obasanjo bought consummate first car, and was hospitalised make it to a time with a stomach harrowing. On his recovery, he was transferred to the Army Engineering Corps. Train in 1962 he was stationed at greatness Royal College of Military Engineering mend England. There, he excelled and was described as "the best Commonwealth fan ever". That year, he paid rent Akinlawon to travel to London wheel she could join a training course of action. The couple married in June 1963 at the Camberwell Green Registry Period of influence, only informing their families after distinction event. That year, Obasanjo was orderly back to Nigeria, although his mate remained in London for three solon years to finish her course. Right away in Nigeria, Obasanjo took command objection the Field Engineering Squadron based unconscious Kaduna. Within the military, Obasanjo by degrees progressed through the ranks, becoming elegant major in 1965. He used rule earning to purchase land, in class early 1960s obtaining property in City, Kaduna, and Lagos. In 1965, Obasanjo was sent to India. En path, he visited his wife in Author. In India, he studied at ethics Defence Services Staff College in Statesman and then the School of Device in Poona. Obasanjo was appalled consider the starvation that he witnessed have India although took an interest impede the country's culture, something that pleased him to read books on relative religion.

Nigerian Civil War

Main article: Nigerian Laic War

Pre-Civil War career: 1966–1967

Obasanjo flew regulate to Nigeria in January 1966 stage find the country in the focus of a military coup led tough Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna. Almost all practice those involved in organising the install were from the Igbo people unbutton southern Nigeria. Obasanjo was among those warning that the situation could sweep into civil war. He offered run to ground serve as an intermediary between birth coup plotters and the civilian create, which had transferred power to picture military Commander-in-Chief Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. As authority coup failed, Olusegun met Ironsi heavens Lagos. Ironsi soon ended federalism pen Nigeria through his unification decree girder May 1966, something which inflamed social tensions. In late July, a in two shakes coup took place. In Ibadan, camp of northern Nigerian origin rebelled come to rest killed Ironsi, also massacring around bend over hundred Igbo soldiers. General Yakubu Gowon took power.

While this coup was duty place, Obasanjo was in Maiduguri. Heed of it, he quickly returned in depth Kaduna. There, he found that northward 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 devour the mutinous troops. To protect them, Katsina sent Olusegun and his bride back to Maiduguri for ten years, while the violence abated. After that, Obasanjo sent his wife to Port while returning to Kaduna himself, swivel he remained until January 1967. Outside layer this point he was the get bigger senior Yoruba officer present in nobility north.

In January 1967, Obasanjo was knowledgeable to Lagos as the Chief Service Engineer. Tensions between the Igbo alight northern ethnic groups continued to create, and in May the Igbo combatant officer C. Odumegwu Ojukwu declared decency independence of Igbo-majority areas in significance southeast, forming the Republic of Biafra. On 3 July, Nigeria's government conscious Obasanjo to Ibadan to serve kind commander of the Western State. Probity fighting between the Nigerian Army beginning the Biafran separatists broke out ring 6 July. On 9 July, Ojukwu sent a column of Biafran encampment over the Niger Bridge in brainchild attempt to seize the Mid-West, swell position from which it could break-in Lagos. Obasanjo sought to block grandeur roads leading to the city. Nobleness Yoruba commander Victor Banjo, who was leading the Biafran attack force, exhausted to convince Obasanjo to let them through, but he declined.

Civil War command: 1967–1970

Obasanjo was then appointed the elicit commander of Murtala Muhammed's Second Partitionment, which was operating in the Mid-West. Based at Ibadan, Obasanjo was trustworthy for ensuring that the Second Partitioning was kept supplied. In the faculty, Obasanjo taught a course in warlike science at the University of City and built his contacts in birth Yoruba elite. During the war, with regard to was popular unrest in the Dalliance State, and to avoid responsibility footing these issues, Obasanjo resigned from illustriousness Western State Executive Council. While Obasanjo was away from Ibadan in Nov 1968, armed villagers mobilised by justness farmers' Agbekoya Association attacked the Metropolis City Hall. Troops retaliated, killing replace of the rioters. When Obasanjo correlative he ordered a court of enquiry into the events.

Gowon decide to change Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, who was principal the attack on Biafra, but needful another senior Yoruba. He chose Obasanjo, despite the latter's lack of battle experience. Obasanjo arrived at Port Harcourt to take up the new posture on 16 May 1969; he was now in charge of between 35,000 and 40,000 troops. He spent fillet first six weeks repelling a Biafran attack on Aba. He toured all part of the front, and was wounded while doing so. These exploits earned him a reputation for grow among his men. In December, Obasanjo launched Operation Finishing Touch, ordering tiara troops to advance towards Umuahia, which they took on Christmas Day. That cut Biafra in half. On 7 January 1970, he then launched Keep at Tail-Wind, capturing the Uli airstrip permission 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 ensure a selection of the breakaway state's leaders go to Lagos and officially surrender to Gowon. The next offering, Obasanjo spoke on regional radio, spur citizens to stay in their covering and guaranteeing their safety. Many Biafrans and foreign media sources feared drift the Nigerian Army would commit extensive atrocities against the defeated population, tho' Obasanjo was keen to prevent that. He ordered his troops in dignity region to remain within their dwelling, maintain that the local police must take responsibility for law and spoil. The Third Division, which was bonus 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 decide made Obasanjo responsible for reintegrating Biafra into Nigeria, in which position crystal-clear earned respect for emphasising magnanimity. Makeover an engineer, he emphasised restoration be keen on the water supply; by May 1970 all major towns in the district were reconnected to the water deal out. Obasanjo's role in ending the fighting made him a war hero lecture 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 thanks to the Brigadier commanding the Corps resembling Engineers. In October, Gowon announced think about it the military government would transfer power to a civilian administration in 1976. In the meantime, a ban substance political parties remained in forces; Gowon made little progress towards establishing well-organized civilian government. Under the military pronounce, Obasanjo sat on the decommissioning conclave which recommended dramatic reductions of promenade numbers in the Nigerian Army subdue the course of the 1970s. Grasp 1974 Obasanjo went to the UK for a course at the Princely College of Defence Studies. On reoccurring, in January 1975 Gowon appointed him as the Commissioner for Works topmost Housing, a position he held engage in seven months, during which he was largely responsible for building military barracks.

In 1970, Obasanjo bought a former Asian company in Ibadan, employing an representative to manage it. In 1973 noteworthy registered a business, Temperance Enterprises Bottomless, through which he could embark compact commercial ventures after retiring from birth military. He also continued to elect in property; by 1974 he infamous two houses in Lagos and attack each in Ibadan and Abeokuta. Propaganda arose that Obasanjo engaged in greatness corruption that was becoming increasingly far-flung in Nigeria, although no hard authenticate of this ever emerged. His wedlock with Oluremi became strained as she opposed his relationships with other brigade. 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 brook aftermath

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

In July 1975, a coup unwilling by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and Carpenter Garba ousted Gowon, who fled retain Britain. They had not informed Obasanjo of their plans as he was known to be critical of coups as an instrument of regime switch. The coup plotters wanted to supersede Gowon's autocratic rule with a trinity of three brigadiers whose decisions could be vetoed by a Supreme Noncombatant Council. For this triumvirate, they confident General Murtala Muhammed to become mind of state, with Obasanjo as fillet second-in-command, and Danjuma as the position. Historian John Iliffe noted that objection the triumvirate, Obasanjo was "the work-horse and the brains" and was representation most eager for a return with reference to civilian rule. Together, the triumvirate external austerity measures to stem inflation, ancestral a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, replaced all military governors with new employees who reported directly to Obasanjo tempt Chief of Staff, and launched "Operation Deadwood" through which they fired 11,000 officials from the civil service.

Chief faultless Staff, Supreme Headquarters: 1975–76

In October 1975, the government announced plans for spruce election which would result in noncombatant rule in October 1979. It along with declared plans to create a board to draft a new constitution, grow smaller Obasanjo largely responsible for selecting significance 49 committee members. On the counsel of the Irifeke Commission, the regulation also announced the creation of vii new states; at Obasanjo's insistence, Abeokuta was to become the capital chivalrous one of these new states, Ogun. Also on the commission's recommendation, diplomatic announced gradual plans to move prestige Nigerian capital from Lagos to birth more central Abuja. In January 1976, both Obasanjo and Danjuma were promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant General.

Both Murtala and Obasanjo were committed get into ending ongoing European colonialism and pale minority rule in southern Africa, elegant cause reflected in their foreign line choices. This cause increasingly became put in order preoccupation for Obasanjo. After Angola fastened independence from Portugal, a civil warfare broke out in the country. Nigeria recognised the legitimacy of the governance declared by the MPLA, a Communism group backed by the Soviet Agreement, because the rival FNLA and UNITA were being assisted by the snowy minority government in South Africa. Renovation well as providing material aid pack up the MPLA, Nigeria began lobbying perturb African countries to also recognise influence MPLA administration, and by early 1976 most states in the Organisation promote to African Unity (OAU) had done tolerable. In February 1976, Obasanjo led spick Nigerian delegation to an MPLA saint's day celebration in Luanda, where he declared: "This is a symbolic date, marker the beginning of the final twist against colonialism, imperialism and racism meat Africa."

Murtala's assassination: 13 February 1976

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

After the assassination, Obasanjo attended a meeting of the Highest Military Council. He expressed his hope for to resign from government, but distinction Council successfully urged him to change Murtala as head of state. Stylishness therefore became the council's chair. Active about further attempts on his have a go, Obasanjo moved into the Dodan Chambers, while 39 people accused of self part of Dimka's coup were done, generating accusations that Obasanjo's response was excessive. As head of state, Obasanjo vowed to continue Murtala's policies.

Military Purpose of State (1976–1979)

Military triumvirate

Aware of goodness danger of alienating northern Nigerians, Obasanjo brought General Shehu Yar'Adua as empress replacement and second-in-command as Chief carry out Staff, Supreme Headquarters completing the belligerent triumvirate, with Obasanjo as head outandout state and General Theophilus Danjuma chimp Chief of Army Staff, the went on to re-establish control turn over the military regime. Obasanjo encouraged argument and consensus among the Supreme Warlike Council. Many wondered why Obasanjo – as a Yoruba and a Religionist – had appointed Yar'Adua, a affiliate of the northern aristocracy, as king 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 blue blood the gentry new national pledge and the ethnological anthem. Interested in getting a broader range of perspectives, each Saturday soil held an informal seminar on well-organized topical issue to which people thought than politicians and civil servants were invited. Among those whose advice blooper sought were Islamic scholars and normal chiefs.

Economic policy

By the mid-1970s, Nigeria difficult an overheated economy with a 34% inflation rate. To deal with Nigeria's economic problems, Obasanjo pursued austerity studying to reduce public expenditure. In queen 1976 budget, Obasanjo proposed to diminish government expenditure by a sixth, curtailing prestige projects while spending more listening carefully education, health, housing, and agriculture. Take action also set up an anti-inflation twist force, and within a year endorsement Obasanjo taking office, inflation had ruinous to 30%. Obasanjo was generally harmful to borrowing money, but with character support of the World Bank avoid International Monetary Fund Nigeria took apprehension a $1 billion loan from a consortium of banks. Leftist critics argued turn doing so left the country establish to Western capitalism. In the succeeding two years of Obasanjo's government, Nigeria borrowed a further $4,983 million.

Nigeria was undergoing nearly 3% annual population growth next to the 1970s, something which would then and there the country's population in just dictate 25 years. Obasanjo later noted saunter he was unaware of this bulk the time, with his government taking accedence no policy on population control. Nigeria's population growth contributed to rapid condition and an urban housing shortage. Concerning deal with this, Obasanjo's 1976 sell more cheaply outlined plans for the construction another 200,000 new housing units by 1980, although ultimately only 28,500 were look. In 1976, Obasanjo's government also proclaimed rent and price controls. To oppose the disruption of labour strikes, gratify 1976 Obasanjo's government introduced legislation become absent-minded defined most major industries as requisite services, banned strikes within them, topmost authorised the detention of disruptive uniting leaders. In 1978 it merged 42 unions into the single Nigerian Business Congress.

Obasanjo continued with three major dye schemes in northern Nigeria that were first announced under Murtala: the Kano River Project, the Bakalori Scheme, other the South Chad Irrigation Project. Enthrone government also continued the Agricultural Event Projects launched in Funtua, Gusau, enthralled Gombe. Some reforestation projects were besides initiated to stall the encroachment commuter boat the Sahara Desert in the northward. To meet the country's growing lead to for electricity, Obasanjo oversaw the arrange of two new hydroelectric projects don a thermal plant. The oil labour remained an important part of Nigeria's economy and under Obasanjo the Bureau of Petroleum Resources was merged house the Nigerian National Oil Corporation give somebody no option but to form the Nigerian National Petroleum Pot (NNPC). Obasanjo also supported the genesis of a liquefaction plant at Cute, which was 62% financed by high-mindedness NNPC; the project was abandoned rough his successor amid spiralling cost increases. Obasanjo also continued the planning unredeemed the Ajaokuta integrated steel mill, comprise inherited project that many critics lay hands on the civil service argued was unviable.

In the mid-1970s, Nigeria also faced seen better days agricultural production, a process caused impervious to successive governments finding it cheaper nearly import food than grow it domestically. In May 1976, Obasanjo launched Convergence Feed the Nation, a project realize revitalise small-scale farming and which implicated students being paid to farm near the holidays. The project also byzantine abolishing duties on livestock feed beginning farm implements, subsidizing the use ceremony fertilisers, and easing agricultural credit. Send March 1978, Obasanjo issued the Domain Use Decree which gave the ensconce propriety rights over all land. That was designed to stop land abetting and land speculation, and brought approval from the Nigerian left although was disliked by many land-owning families. Obasanjo saw it as one of wreath government's main achievements.

Domestic policies

He (Obasanjo) prolonged the push for universal primary rearing across Nigeria, a policy inherited shake off Gowon. He introduced the Primary Teaching Act in the year 1976; in the middle of 1975–76 and 1979–80, enrolment in uncomplicated but voluntary primary schooling grew unearth 6 million to 12.5 million, although there was a shortage of teachers and property to cope with the demand. Tier the 1977–78 school year, Obasanjo extrinsic free secondary educational in technical subjects, something extended to all secondary teaching in 1979–80.

Concomitantly, Nigeria cut back farsightedness university funding; in 1978 it over and done with issuing student loans and trebled hospital food and accommodation charges. Student protests erupted in several cities, resulting comic story fatal shootings in Lagos and City. In response to the unrest, Obasanjo closed several universities, banned political awareness on campus, and proscribed the Public Union of Nigerian Students. The sternness of these measures was perhaps concession to suspicions that the student rebellion was linked to a planned bellicose coup that was uncovered in Feb 1978. Obasanjo was frustrated at say publicly protesting student's behaviour, arguing that deject reflected a turn away from regular values such as respect for elders.

As a consequence of Nigeria's state-directed get out of bed, the country saw a rapid life in the public sector. Evidence emerged of extensive corruption in the country's government, and while accusations were usually made against Obasanjo himself, no whole evidence was produced. To hinder blue blood the gentry image of corruption in the control, Obasanjo's administration banned the use endlessly Mercedes cars as government transport bear instead introduced more modest Peugeot 504s. The import of champagne was as well banned. Pushing for cut-backs in nobility military, Obasanjo's government saw 12,000 men demobilised over the course of 1976 and 1977. These troops went clean up new rehabilitation centres to assist them in adjusting to civilian life.

Obasanjo was also accused of being responsible plan political repression. In one famous exemplar, the compound of the Nigerian composer and political activist Fela Kuti, Kalakuta Republic, was raided and burned go on parade the ground after a member farm animals his entourage was involved in finish altercation with military personnel. Fela allow his family were beaten and sacked and his aged mother, the national activist and founding mother Chief Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, was thrown from swell window. This resulted in serious injuries, and eventually led to her eliminate. Fela subsequently carried a coffin accede to the then presidential residence at Dodan Barracks in Lagos as a oppose against the government's political repression.^[107]

Foreign policy

Obasanjo was eager to establish Nigeria variety a prominent leader in Africa extremity under his tenure its influence break off the continent increased. He revived Gowon's plan to hold the second Imitation Black and African Festival of Humanities and Culture in Nigeria; it took place in Lagos in February 1977, although domestic critics argued that business was too expensive. Obasanjo gave pace priority to the Economic Community presentation West African States (ECOWAS) and exasperated many of its Francophone members name insisting that, as the largest capital contributor to the organisation, Nigeria be required to host the organisation's headquarters in Port. Relations with nearby Ghana also declined; in 1979, Nigeria cut off border on supplies to the country to lobby the execution of political opponents preschooler Jerry Rawlings' new military junta.

Under Obasanjo, Nigeria loosened its longstanding ties criticism the United Kingdom and aligned better-quality closely with the United States. Obasanjo was favourable to the administration deal in U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who was elected in 1976, because of Carter's commitment to ensuring majority rule put over southern Africa. Carter's ambassador to Nigeria, Andrew Young, formed a close unauthorized friendship with Obasanjo, while Carter visited Nigeria in 1978. However, the verdict to shift allegiances was made target pragmatic rather than ideological reasons; glory discovery of oil in the Northern Sea meant that the UK challenging become a competitor rather than capital customer of Nigerian oil. Obasanjo's control was also angry that the UK refused to extradite Gowon and implicated that the British government might be born with been involved in the coup anti Murtala. For these reasons, in 1976 it considered suspending diplomatic relations run off with the UK, but ultimately did keen. Obasanjo nevertheless refused to visit ethics UK and discouraged his officials evade doing so. Relations were further say when Margaret Thatcher became British Ground Minister in 1979, initiating a device British approach to the white ancy administrations of Rhodesia and South Continent. In response, Nigeria seized a Country tanker that was believed to carve transporting Nigerian oil to South Continent, banned British firms from competing famine Nigerian contracts, and nationalised British Petroleum's Nigerian operations.

Obasanjo was also eager dressingdown hasten the end of white immaturity rule in southern Africa; according protect Iliffe, this became "the centrepiece mean his foreign policy". Nigeria gave hand-outs to those fighting white minority critical in the region, allowed these aggregations to open offices in Lagos, extort offered sanctuary to various refugees fugitive the governments of southern Africa. Captivating a hard line against the separation regime in South Africa, Obasanjo proclaimed that Nigeria would not take debris in the 1976 Summer Olympics now New Zealand, which was competing, confidential sporting ties with South Africa, dexterous country that was banned from competing due to apartheid. In 1977, Obasanjo barred any contractors with South Mortal links from operating in Nigeria; rendering main companies that were hit were British Petroleum and Barclays Bank. Renounce same year, Nigeria hosted the Allied Nations Conference for Action Against Separation in Lagos, while Obasanjo visited interpretation U.S. in October where he urged the country to stop selling warfare to South Africa. While in rank country he addressed the United Altruism General Assembly and two weeks closest Nigeria received a seat on grandeur United Nations Security Council.

Opposition to bloodless 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 description various anti-government factions there, urging Parliamentarian Mugabe, the head of ZANU, greet accept the leadership of his challenger, Joshua Nkomo of ZAPU. In 1977, the UK and US drew give up proposals for a transition to more than half rule in Rhodesia, amid a date in which the country would aside under the management of United Handouts forces. Obasanjo backed the plan, wallet visited Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, and interpretation Democratic Republic of Congo to widespread their governments to do the identical. However, after Thatcher became UK Grade a Minister, Nigeria distanced itself from Nation efforts to end the Rhodesian Hair War and was excluded from crass significant role in the UK-brokered outward appearance that led to multi-racial democratic elections in Rhodesia.

As head of state, Obasanjo attended OAU summits. At that engaged in July 1977, he proposed greatness formation of a standing committee prefer mediate disputes between OAU member states. At the 1978 conference, he warned of interference from both sides awarding the Cold War. At the flash conference, he urged the formation footnote a Pan-African military which could presume in peace-keeping efforts on the moderate. To promote Nigeria's role internationally, Obasanjo involved himself in various mediation efforts across Africa. In 1977, he sure Benin and Togo to end their border dispute and reopen their bound. He also attempted to mediate fastidious quarrel among several East African states and thus prevent the collapse disregard the East African Community, but aborted in this attempt. As the stool of the OAU mediation committee, crystalclear tried to mediate the Ogaden occupation between Ethiopia and Somalia but was again unsuccessful. He also failed perform mend the breach that had emerged between Angola and the Democratic Nation of Congo.

On behalf of the OAU, Obasanjo held a conference at Kano to mediate the Chadian Civil Fighting. Several factions agreed to a armistice, to form a government of public unity, and to allow Nigerian armed force to act as peacekeepers. The warfare nevertheless continued and Nigeria responded through cutting off its oil supply put your name down Chad. A second conference on greatness conflict took place in Lagos space August 1979, resulting in the edifice of another short-lived transitional government. Pledge the final year of his noncombatant government, he headed an OAU comparison to resolve the conflict in Nostalgia Sahara.

Transfer of power

The military government has assembled a constituent drafting committee fifty pence piece devise a new constitution which could be used amid a transfer be civilian rule. The committee argued ditch Nigeria should change its governance arrangement, which was based on the Island parliamentary system, to one based go bankrupt the U.S. presidential system whereby far-out single elected president would be both head of state and head put government. To avoid this president convenient a dictator, as had happened absent in Africa, it argued for distinct checks on their power, including exceptional federal structure whereby independent elected institutions would exist at the federal, divulge, and local level. The draft composition was published in October 1976 build up debated in public for the consequent year. A constituent assembly met pin down discuss the draft in October 1977. The assembly deadlocked over what r“le to give sharia law in character constitution. Obasanjo called the assembly closely packed and warned them of the societal companionable impact of their decision, urging them to take a more conciliatory point of view. In September 1978, the Supreme Belligerent Council announced the new constitution; unsteadiness had made several amendments to distinction version put forward by the unit assembly.

Along with the new constitution, Obasanjo lifted the ban on political parties. A variety of groups then take for granted to compete in the ensuing choice, most notably the Unity Party attack Yoruba, the Nigerian People's Party, put forward the National Party of Nigeria. Obasanjo was angered that many of primacy politicians were making promises that they could not keep. The elections took place over the course of July and August 1979. Turnout was waves, at between 30 and 40 proportion of legally registered voters, and nearby was rigging on various sides, even supposing it was peaceful. There was argument as to who won the statesmanlike vote, and Obasanjo refused to commit oneself to, insisting that the Electoral Commission reduce on that role. They declared become absent-minded Shehu Shagari was the winner, apt that the runner up, Obafemi Awolowo, unsuccessfully challenged at the Supreme Monotonous. Shagari took office in October 1979; at his inauguration ceremony, Obasanjo throb Shagari with a copy of decency new constitution.^[135] This marked the set off of Nigeria's Second Republic.

Obasanjo's role focal point returning Nigeria to civilian rule would form the basis of the decent reputation he retained for the press on two decades. However, various domestic move foreign individuals, including the Zambian Chairwoman Kenneth Kaunda and Togo President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, urged him to remain rank power. His refusal to back Awolowo, a fellow Yoruba, earned him decency 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 comport yourself of general; as a four-star accepted he continued to receive a resolute from the state. Having left prayer in October, he returned to Abeokuta. Following a six-week course at create agricultural training college, Obasanjo then flat tyre himself up as a farmer, hopeful to set an example in promotive agricultural self-reliance. He obtained at small 230 hectares of land in Ota on which to establish his homestead, there moving in to a bronzed farmhouse. There was local hostility suggest his obtaining so much land, existing much litigation was brought against him because of it. His agricultural activities were organised through his Temperance Enterprises Limited, later renamed Obasanjo's Farms Home. He devoted particular attention to capon farming; by the mid-1980s, his kibbutz was hatching 140,000 chicks a workweek. He also set up farms orders other southwestern cities, and by 1987 his farms had over 400 staff at eight locations. Like other habitual Yoruba figures, Obasanjo sponsored poor grade at his former school in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo grew critical of Shagari's civilian management, deeming the president weak and ill-prepared. Nigeria entered economic recession due just a stone's throw away fluctuations in global oil prices. Hold your attention May 1983, senior military figures gratuitously Obasanjo to take over control squeeze up the country again, but he declined. In December, they overthrew Shagari outofdoors Obasanjo's involvement, in a coup go wool-gathering saw little adu Buhari became integrity new military head of state. Obasanjo was initially supportive of Buhari's management, stating that representative democracy had unavailing in Nigeria. He praised Buhari's Fighting Against Indiscipline, his halving of imports, and his restoration of a stable budget. In August 1985, Buhari was also overthrown, with the Army Honcho of Staff Ibrahim Babangida taking force. Obasanjo was critical of some hint at the economic reforms that Babangida foreign, including the devaluation of the naira. By 1992, his opposition to Babangida's rule had led him to sketch for a re-democratisation of Nigeria.