Power in nigeria the reign of darkness

The "Reign of Darkness" in Nigeria refers to the period of military rule and political instability that characterized the country's history from the 1960s to the 1990s. During this time, the country was plagued by corruption, human rights abuses, and economic stagnation, which led to widespread poverty, inequality, and social unrest.

Here are some key events and factors that contributed to the "Reign of Darkness" in Nigeria:

1. Military coups: Nigeria experienced a series of military coups, starting with the 1966 coup that overthrew the government of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. This was followed by a series of military regimes, including those of General Aguiyi Ironsi, General Yakubu Gowon, General Murtala Mohammed, and General Ibrahim Babangida.
2. Corruption: Corruption was rampant during this period, with military leaders and politicians embezzling public funds and engaging in other forms of corruption. This led to a lack of trust in government and institutions.
3. Human rights abuses: The military governments were known for their brutal suppression of opposition and human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and detention without trial.
4. Economic stagnation: The country's economy was in shambles, with high inflation, unemployment, and poverty rates. The government's mismanagement of the economy and lack of investment in infrastructure and human development contributed to this stagnation.
5. Ethnic and religious tensions: Nigeria is a diverse country with over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages. During this period, ethnic and religious tensions were high, with conflicts breaking out between different groups.
6. Lack of accountability: The military governments were not accountable to the people, and there was no effective system of checks and balances to prevent abuse of power.
7. International isolation: Nigeria's international reputation suffered during this period, with many countries imposing economic sanctions and boycotting the country due to its human rights record and corruption.

Some notable events that occurred during this period include:

• The 1966 coup and the subsequent pogroms against the Igbo people, which led to the death of thousands of people and the displacement of millions.
• The Biafran War (1967-1970), which was a brutal conflict that resulted in the deaths of millions of people and the destruction of much of the country's infrastructure.
• The 1983 coup and the subsequent execution of General Murtala Mohammed, which led to a period of instability and violence.
• The 1993 election, which was annulled by the military government, leading to widespread protests and violence.

The "Reign of Darkness" in Nigeria came to an end with the transition to democracy in 1999, when Olusegun Obasanjo was elected as the country's first civilian president in over two decades. Since then, Nigeria has made significant progress in terms of democratic governance, economic growth, and human development, but the country still faces many challenges and continues to struggle with corruption, poverty, and inequality.