Nigerian Army and Its Achievements in a Democratic Setting, 1999 – 2019

Alaba Babatunde Israel

Department of History and Diplomatic Studies Faculty of Arts Taraba State University, Jalingo

Bashir Ahmad Sani, Phd

Department of Political Science & International Relations Prowess University, Delaware-USA

Email: Fawbeesan1010@gmail.com

&

Yakubu Yola Yabube

Department of History and Diplomatic Studies Faculty of Arts Taraba State University, Jalingo

Abstract

The study aims at documenting Nigerian Army and its achievement in a Democratic setting between 1999–2019. This gives clear understanding of Nigerian Army under democratic government. What the Nigerian Army had achieved within this period in term of training and re-training its personnel, procurement and production of different equipment required to confront the aggressiveness of terrorism and banditry on the territory of Nigeria. The sovereignty remains sacred and it is the responsibility of Nigerian to ensure that its protection is not compromised. In view of the foregoing, the paper examined howNigerian Army had been working and collaborating with different government agencies and institutions to ensure smooth management and curbing security threat confronting Nigeria in accordance with the content of Nigerian constitution. The critical issues examined in the study are Nigerian Army and Democratic Institution in Nigeria, the rule of law and Nigerian Army in a democratic setting, Procurement and production of war equipment, training and re-training of Army personnel for effectiveness. These issues have better explained the cordiality and conviviality military enjoyed between 1999- 2019. The method adopted in the study is primary and secondary sources, while the primary source focused on interview from the member of Nigerian Army and the civilian working closely with the institution, the secondary source relies on the use of written document such as textbooks, journals, internets and other relevant documents.

Introduction

Before 1999 and with the exception of the period (1979 – 1984), the military ruled Nigerian without the due regard for democratic norms and values. It also goes without saying that military rule itself is an aberration. More often than not, one has had to wonder whether the military is above the nation’s constitution. With the advent of democracy in Nigeria since 1999 however, the military has, been inundated with calls to conform to democratic norms and value. Civil control over the armed forces simply refers to the hierarchy of authority between the executive, the parliament (national assembly) as well as the armed forces. It involves the supremacy of the constitution, the imperatives of democratic norms and ethos, civil-military relations and military professionalism. The assumption underling the concept of civilian control over the military lies in the fact that if the military is not properly managed and if not………..