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With all the drama going on in the polity, there's an urgent need to look back at where we were coming from.

#DemocracyMustStay thread

@lagbaja94

@lagbaja94

This video here is a chronological reminder of how we got this democracy.

Video credit: @lagbaja94

#DemocracyMustStay

Here's a brief chronological history of leadership in Nigeria
#DemocracyMustStay

After independence in 1960.
Tafawa Balewa became the Prime Minister (only one we've ever had) from 1960 - 63.
He was later killed in 1966 military coup.
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

Nnamdi Azikiwe was the President between 1963 - 66.
His Government was overthrown in a military coup led by Aguiyi-Ironsi.
Yes, same coup that killed Tafawa Balewa
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi led the Jan. 1966 coup and became the Head of State from Jan - July 1966.
He was assassinated in a counter coup.
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

Yakubu Gowon seized power after the counter coup from 1966 - 75, he oversaw the civil war & oil boom era.
He's known for saying to a foreign reporter that "the only problem Nigeria has is how to spend the money she has."
He was overthrown while away in OAU summit in Kampala
😭

Muritala Mohammed took over from 1975 - 76.
He was assassinated in the Dimka coup
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

Olusegun Obasanjo became the Head of State (1976-79) after the failed coup attempt.
Theophilus Danjuma was meant to take over but he bequeathed the seat for OBJ.

Obasanjo handed over to a Civilian Government
🕺🏾💃🏾😁
#DemocracyMustStay

Shehu Shagari became the 2nd President between 1979-83.
He was overthrown by Muhammadu Buhari amidst a deteriorating economy 😭
#DemocracyMustStay

General Muhammadu Buhari became Head of State from 1983-85.
He claimed the civilian government was corrupt and implemented harsh economic policies
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

General Ibrahim Babangida became Head of State after a bloodless coup.
He promised to end the human right abuses of the previous regime.
He was in power from 1985-93
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

IBB bowed to public pressure and appointed Ernest Shonekan as the Head of Interim Government between Aug-Nov 1993.
He was overthrown by Abacha
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

General Sani Abacha overthrew Shonekan and issued a decree of absolute immunity.

He was part of 1966 counter coup, 1983 & 1985 coups and led 1993 coup.

He ruled from 1993 till he died mysteriously in 1998.
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar was reluctant to take over after Abacha's demise.
He promised to hold general elections and hand over to a Civilian Government but he was doubted by critics of the military.
Surprisingly he handed over.
He resigned from June 1998 - May 1999
🕺🏾💃🏾😁

In 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo (yes, he came back) won the an election to become the 1st President of the 4th Republic.
He was President from 1999-2007
🕺🏾💃🏾😁
#DemocracyMustStay

President Umaru Musa Yaradua won the 2007 election but his reign was short-lived as he died in office.
He was the President from 2007-10
😭
#DemocracyMustStay

President Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as President after the demise of Yaradua.
He subsequently won the 2011 election.
He was President from 2010-15
🕺💃😁
#DemocracyMustStay

In 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari (yes, he came back too) won d Presidential election on d 4th attempt.
Nigerians hoped his administration would finally meet d yearnings & solve d problems of yester years.
However, his illness affected his regime.
He's the President till date

And that's a wrap on Nigeria's leadership history.
There were 11 instances of 😭 and only 4 instances of 🕺🏾💃🏾😁
This shows that 73% of past leadership ended badly.
Are we gonna allow this democracy to be ruined in the hands of selfish politicians?
#DemocracyMustStay