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Question

Difficulty: MediumMilitary Intervention and Governance in Nigeria

Arrange the following structural and administrative developments during military rule in Nigeria in the correct chronological order from earliest to latest:

  1. 1Promulgation of Constitution (Suspension and Modification) Decree No. 1 establishing the Supreme Military Council (SMC)
  2. 2Inauguration of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) to prepare a draft constitution for the Second Republic
  3. 3Replacement of the Supreme Military Council with the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) as the highest legislative body
  4. 4Establishment of the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) as the supreme governing organ of the military regime

Answer

The correct chronological sequence is: Promulgation of Decree No. 1 (1966), followed by the inauguration of the Constitution Drafting Committee (1975), then the establishment of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (1985), and finally the creation of the Provisional Ruling Council (1993).
The events follow the historical sequence of Nigerian military governance: Decree No. 1 was enacted in January 1966; the Constitution Drafting Committee for the Second Republic was inaugurated in October 1975; General Babangida created the Armed Forces Ruling Council in August 1985; and General Abacha instituted the Provisional Ruling Council in November 1993.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical context and date of the first event.
The promulgation of Decree No. 1 took place in January 1966 under Major-General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi right after the initial military intervention.
This laid the legal framework for military rule and established the Supreme Military Council (SMC).
2
Identify the timing of the Constitution Drafting Committee's inauguration.
The CDC was inaugurated by General Murtala Muhammed in October 1975.
This was the first major step in the military's phased transition plan towards the 1979 Second Republic.
3
Identify the creation of the Armed Forces Ruling Council.
General Ibrahim Babangida restructured the military high command and created the AFRC in August 1985.
Babangida introduced the AFRC to replace the SMC and concentrated executive powers in the office of the Military President.
4
Determine the date of the Provisional Ruling Council's establishment.
The Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) was constituted in November 1993 under General Sani Abacha.
The PRC replaced the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) following Abacha's seizure of power from the Interim National Government.

Key Concept

Chronological evolution of military ruling organs and constitutional transition programs in post-independence Nigeria.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Military Intervention and Governance in Nigeria