The Niger Coup: Lessons for Nigeria’s Democracy

The Niger Coup: Lessons for Nigeria’s Democracy

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

On July 26, 2023, there was a coup in Niger. The Presidential Guard took control and arrested President Mohamed Bazoum along with his family. Senior officers from different branches of the defense and security forces came together as a group called the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland. They went on national television to announce that they were now in charge.

Although this recent coup in Niger might be brief, its effects were felt far beyond the country’s borders. Many people are concerned about Niger’s stability due to its history of four coups since gaining independence from France in 1960, as well as numerous attempted coups. Additionally, this event has raised worries about the entire Sahel region, which has been dealing with ongoing challenges such as political instability and security issues.

The coup attempt in Niger is a strong message for Nigeria. It’s highlighting how fragile democracy can be in Africa. Nigeria is the largest country on the continent with over 200 million people and has faced military takeovers before. Recently, Nigeria has been putting in efforts to become more democratic, but many still question if true ‘Democracy’ has been put into action since its establishment.

Looking at what unfolded in Niger, it’s clear that Nigeria needs to be careful. The risk of a coup is still there, whether or not Nigeria is seen as a fully democratic country. What happened in Niger reminds us that unless Nigeria takes significant steps to completely restore democracy, the threat of a coup remains. It’s a reminder that staying vigilant and committed to a strong democracy is crucial.

There are quite a few things that could lead to a coup happening in Nigeria. One big reason is the deep divisions between different ethnic groups and religions in the country. Nigeria has many different groups of people, with a lot of Muslims in the north and many Christians in the south. Sometimes, politicians have used these differences to create problems, and this has led to violence and instability.

Another reason a coup could happen in Nigeria is due to the struggling economy. Nigeria is known as one of the most corrupt countries globally, and its economy has been facing difficulties lately. This has caused a lot of poverty and frustration among the people. The rising cost of fuel, expensive transportation fares, and increases in almost everything have deeply frustrated the population, leading to doubts about whether there is any hope left for Nigeria. In the past, the scarcity of money was a major concern in the country. As that issue began to fade, and people started to hope for a better Nigeria, the new problem of rising costs took over, bringing tears to people’s eyes.

Lastly, the coup in Niger might lead military officers in Nigeria to believe they could do the same. We’ve seen this unfold with a successful coup in Mali in 2020. On August 18, 2020, a group of Malian military officers led by Colonel Assimi Goïta staged a coup, resulting in the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. Additionally, an attempted coup took place in Guinea in 2021.

Since Nigeria gained independence, the country has experienced five military coup d’états between 1966 and 1999. Except for a brief return to democracy under the Second Nigerian Republic from 1979 to 1983, Nigeria was consistently governed by the military during this period. However, the most recent coup occurred in 1993, and since the restoration of multi-party democracy in 1999 under the Fourth Nigerian Republic, there have been no significant further attempts.

These instances illustrate that military officers can seize government power without facing consequences.

Nobody truly desires to undergo another episode of military rule, highlighting the paramount importance of the government’s proactive measures to prevent the recurrence of a coup during the era of democracy in Nigeria.

Looking at what happened in Niger, it’s clear that Nigeria has much to reflect upon. The nation must discover methods to unite diverse individuals, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds. It is vital that presidential appointments are fairly distributed among Nigeria’s three primary ethnic groups: Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba.

Making the economy better is really, really important, and Nigeria needs to put in a lot of effort to stop the corruption that has gone very far in the country. Also, it’s really important for the military to always remember that their job is to keep the country safe and protect its democratic values.

If Nigeria doesn’t tackle these problems, it might be the next African country to face a coup. That would be a big step backward for democracy in Africa and could make the region less stable.

However, the question still lingers: what steps can Nigeria take to prevent a coup? There are some key actions that can make a difference:

Enhance democratic systems: This involves ensuring the military respects civilian leadership, conducting fair elections without buying votes, and upholding the rule of law.

Unite the people: Nigeria should inspire diverse ethnic and religious groups to value and respect one another, refraining from playing ‘Political Power Favouritism’ during their governance.

Battle corruption: Nigeria must halt government corruption and ensure public funds benefit the citizens. Successfully curbing corruption could potentially resolve up to 95% of Nigeria’s challenges

Boost the economy: Nigeria should generate jobs for both educated and non-educated individuals, lessen poverty, and ensure that everyone can access their essential needs.

Promote Education and Awareness: Fostering education and raising awareness about the importance of democracy, civic engagement, and the negative impacts of coups can help create a more informed and vigilant population.

Media Freedom and Transparency: Having a media that is free and responsible, capable of holding the government accountable and promoting transparency, is extremely important for a strong democracy. This means that Freedom of Speech shouldn’t just be talked about, but also put into practice. People should not be imprisoned for speaking up about what is right.

Diplomacy and Regional Cooperation: Strengthening diplomatic ties and cooperation with neighboring countries and regional organizations can contribute to political stability and collective efforts against coups.

Professionalization of the Military: Ensuring that the military’s primary role is to protect the nation and its democratic institutions rather than engaging in politics is essential.

Youth Engagement: Engaging young people in meaningful ways through education, skills training, and opportunities for participation can channel their energy positively and reduce criminal activities among the youths.

By taking a comprehensive approach that addresses these additional areas, Nigeria can further fortify its democracy and diminish the risk of experiencing a coup. Learning from both successes and challenges within its region, Nigeria can play a vital role in fostering stability and democratic progress in Africa.