The Nigerian New Year's Coup of December 31, 1983

Abstract

Nigerians awoke on the morning of December 31, 1983, to learn that the Second Republic had been replaced, during the preceding night, by a new Federal Military Government, the fourth since independence. Initially, the coup appeared to be confined to the capital city. Brigadier Sanni Abacha, delivering the 8:30 a.m. announcement on Lagos radio, proclaimed the military's mission as discharging its role as promoter and protector of the national interest in doing away with an inept and corrupt leadership that had precipitated the grave economic predicament of the past four years, (West Africa [WA], January 9, 1984: 86). Meanwhile, in most states of the federation, the military presence was either very muted or, ostensibly, nonexistent. Few roadblocks, maneuvers, or struggles were evident, and there was virtually no violence. Many State radio stations continued regular programming without as much as a mention of the coup.