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50 Years After Murtala Muhammed: Between the Ghost of Coups and the Crisis of Democracy

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6 months ago

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa & Abbas Yushau Yusuf

February 13 marks exactly 50 years since General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was assassinated in a failed coup attempt that shook Nigeria to its core. His death on that Friday morning in 1976 was not merely the killing of a Head of State; it was a brutal reminder of how fragile political power can be when the barrel of a gun becomes the pathway to leadership.

Half a century later, Nigeria stands under democratic rule, yet the memory of coups still lingers like a warning siren in the nation’s political subconscious.

Muhammed himself came to power through a military coup in 1975, toppling General Yakubu Gowon. His own assassination less than seven months later, during an abortive coup led by dissident officers, reinforced the inherent instability of governance born out of force. Coups promise swift correction, but they often deliver cycles of uncertainty, repression and further violence.

The danger of military coups to democracy is not theoretical; it is historical fact. Military regimes centralise authority, suspend constitutional order and weaken civilian institutions. Even when they promise reform, they operate outside the consent of the governed. The culture they breed — command-and-control politics — can outlive their uniforms, seeping into civilian administrations long after soldiers return to the barracks.

Nigeria’s post-independence history reads like a ledger of interrupted transitions: 1966, 1975, 1983, 1985, 1993. Each intervention reset the political clock but deepened structural fragilities. Civil institutions were stunted. Political parties became vehicles of patronage rather than ideology. Trust between citizens and the state eroded.

Today, the guns are silent, and ballots have replaced bullets as instruments of power. Yet the shadow of military interruption remains instructive, especially at a time when frustration with democratic governance is rising across the country.

The uncomfortable truth is that democracy, while intact procedurally, is struggling substantively. Elections are held regularly, but economic hardship persists. Institutions exist, but public confidence in them is thin. The Constitution guarantees rights, yet citizens often feel unheard in matters of security, employment and welfare.

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This disconnect between democratic form and democratic outcome creates a dangerous vacuum. When people begin to question whether democracy delivers tangible improvement to their lives, nostalgia for “strongman efficiency” can quietly resurface. It is a perilous sentiment. History shows that military rule may appear decisive, but it rarely produces sustainable prosperity or inclusive governance.

The lesson from Murtala Muhammed’s assassination is not simply about the vulnerability of leaders; it is about the vulnerability of systems built without deep institutional roots. Democracies collapse when institutions are hollowed out, when the judiciary is weakened, when legislatures lose independence and when accountability becomes selective.

Equally, democracy fails when it becomes distant from the daily struggles of the masses. Nigeria today grapples with inflation, unemployment, insecurity and widening inequality. For many citizens, the promise of 1999 — that civilian rule would bring stability and opportunity — feels deferred. This perception does not justify military intervention, but it does expose the urgent need for democratic renewal.

A coup does not cure governance failure; it compounds it. It replaces flawed accountability with none at all. It silences dissent rather than addressing its root causes. The real antidote to democratic disappointment is not regression to authoritarian shortcuts but reform within constitutional boundaries.

Fifty years after Murtala Muhammed’s assassination, Nigeria’s greatest safeguard against instability is not the strength of its armed forces but the credibility of its democratic institutions. The military must remain firmly subordinate to civilian authority, while civilian leaders must govern in ways that justify that authority.

Democracy cannot survive on ritual alone. It must deliver justice, equity and measurable improvement in citizens’ lives. When it does not, cynicism grows. And when cynicism grows unchecked, history’s darker chapters begin to look deceptively attractive.

The anniversary of 1976 should therefore serve as both memorial and mirror — a memorial to a turbulent past and a mirror reflecting present responsibilities. Nigeria has paid dearly for power seized by force. The challenge now is ensuring that democracy does not lose legitimacy through neglect, inequity or arrogance.

The gun once interrupted Nigeria’s future. The ballot must not be allowed to lose its meaning.

General Murtala Muhammad’s legacy will continue to remain fresh in the memory of patriotic Nigerians.

The constitutional democracy Nigeria is enjoying today is the brainchild of the late General Murtala Muhammad, who addressed the nation with vigour and instilled confidence.

His phrase “Immediate effect” remains the phrase successive Nigerian leaders have used to command respect and to show Nigerians they are very serious about formulating and implementing policies for the progress of all.

Despite military rule being an aberration, General Murtala Muhammad’s assassination was backward and retrogressive to the development of Nigeria, which many will continue to mourn for decades to come.

As General Murtala Muhammad clocks five decades after passing to the great beyond, the Nigerian Government should mandate a topic for Nigerian children in the country’s civic education curriculum so that those yet unborn will feel the impact of Nigeria’s great leader lost to the hands of retrogressive assassins on that fateful Friday, February 13th, 1976, which is exactly five decades today.

Adieu, great son of Nigeria and great son of Kano.

 

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Kano Spends N26.5bn on Govt House, Governor’s Office, Travels in Six Months

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4 hours ago

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August 26, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kano State Government spent approximately N26.50 billion on the Government House, Governor’s Office and official travels during the first six months of 2026, according to an analysis of state budget implementation reports.

Data compiled by PUNCH showed that Kano spent N25.87 billion on the Government House and Governor’s Office between January and June 2026, while an additional N626.95 million was recorded under travel and transportation expenditure.

Spending Declines from 2025

Despite the substantial expenditure, Kano recorded a notable decline in spending on the Government House and Governor’s Office compared with the corresponding period in 2025. According to the analysis, expenditure dropped from N28.84 billion in the first half of 2025 to N25.87 billion in 2026.

The reduction amounts to approximately N2.98 billion, representing a decline of about 10.32 per cent.

The figures, however, do not represent the personal salary or private expenditure of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. Rather, the Government House and Governor’s Office expenditure covers various official and administrative activities, including personnel costs, maintenance of facilities, security, official functions and other expenses associated with the operation of the executive arm of the state government.

Kano Among Top Spenders Nationwide

The analysis by PUNCH further showed that Kano’s expenditure formed part of a wider spending pattern across the country. In the 33 states for which data were available, governments collectively spent N512.10 billion on Government Houses, governors’ offices and travels during the first six months of 2026.

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The total comprises N420.01 billion spent under Government House, Governor’s Office and related executive administration budget heads, while another N92.09 billion went to travel and transport.

How Other States Compared

Highest Government House/Governor’s Office Expenditure

– Kogi recorded the highest identifiable expenditure at N65.34 billion, representing more than 15 per cent of the total Government House and Governor’s Office spending captured in the 2026 dataset.
– Ogunfollowed with N45.26 billion.
– Lagos recorded N45.04 billion.
– Ekiti spent N25.22 billion.
– Cross River recorded N23.92 billion.
– Bayelsa spent N22.99 billion.
– Imo recorded N19.43 billion.
– Enugu spent N16.20 billion.

Lowest Government House/Governor’s Office Expenditure

At the lower end of the spectrum:
– Oyo recorded about N1.95 billion.
– Sokoto spent N2.20 billion.
– Kwara recorded N2.59 billion.
– Abiaspent N2.78 billion.

Travel and Transport Expenditure

On travel and transport:
– Plateau recorded the highest identifiable expenditure at N10.11 billion.
– Lagosfollowed with N8.23 billion.
– Taraba recorded N5.16 billion.
– Niger spent N4.45 billion.
– Ekiti recorded N4.41 billion.
– Bauchi spent N3.75 billion.
– Yobe recorded N3.68 billion.
– Oyo recorded about N667.52 million.

Governors’ Salaries vs. Office Maintenance Costs

The analysis highlights a striking contrast. While a governor’s stated monthly salary of N503,000 translates to N3.018 million over six months, the combined six-month salary of all 36 governors amounts to just N108.65 million.

The N512.10 billion spent on executive offices and travel is therefore about 4,713 times the combined basic salaries of the 36 governors over the same period. The six-month salary of all 36 governors represented only 0.02 per cent of the identified expenditure on executive offices and travel.

Nationwide Spending Declines from 2025

The analysis showed that expenditure under the comparable categories was lower in the first half of 2026 than in the corresponding period of 2025. Available records showed that states spent N465.07 billion under Government House, Governor’s Office and similar executive administration heads in the first six months of 2025, with a further N92.73 billion recorded for travel and transport, bringing the combined 2025 figure to N557.80 billion.

The 2026 figure of N512.10 billion represents a decline of about N45.70 billion, or 8.19 per cent. Government House and Governor’s Office spending accounted for most of the reduction, falling from N465.07 billion in 2025 to N420.01 billion in 2026 — a decline of N45.05 billion, or 9.69 per cent.

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Nigerians Are Tired of Promises’ — CAN Demands Action on Insecurity, Hardship In Eid-el-Maulud Message

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7 hours ago

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August 26, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has urged the Federal Government and leaders at all levels to move beyond promises and take concrete action to address insecurity and economic hardship confronting Nigerians.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja to commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

Okoh said many Nigerians were facing difficult economic conditions and insecurity, stressing that citizens were increasingly looking beyond promises for tangible improvements in their lives.

“People are tired of promises; they want to see their lives improve,” he said.

The CAN president urged government leaders to prioritise the security and welfare of citizens, saying Nigerians needed greater protection, economic relief and leadership that puts their interests first.

“Leadership is not measured by what we promise, but by what Nigerians can see and feel,” Okoh stated.

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He urged Nigerians to draw lessons from the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, particularly his emphasis on mercy, justice, compassion for the poor and vulnerable, honesty and peaceful coexistence.

According to him, the values associated with the Prophet’s teachings remain relevant to Nigeria’s current challenges and should be translated into practical actions that promote peace and national development.

“These values are especially important today because they challenge us to care for one another, protect human dignity and pursue peace even when our differences are exploited for political or personal gain,” he said.

Okoh, while felicitating Muslim faithful across the country, prayed for peace and blessings upon their families and communities.

He said the Eid-el-Maulud celebration provided an opportunity for Nigerians, irrespective of religious affiliation, to reflect on the importance of compassion, justice and peaceful coexistence.

The CAN president also warned politicians against exploiting religious and ethnic differences for political advantage as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.

He urged political actors to avoid actions capable of deepening divisions among Nigerians, stressing that the country’s unity should remain more important than electoral interests.

“Elections will come and go, but the bonds that hold Nigeria together must remain,” he said.

Okoh further called on Christians and Muslims to resist attempts by political actors to divide them along religious lines.

He said both faith communities had a shared responsibility to protect their communities, support vulnerable Nigerians and work together towards lasting peace.

“I remain hopeful about Nigeria, but our hope must be backed by action, responsible leadership, good citizenship and justice,” he said.

The CAN president prayed that the Eid-el-Maulud celebration would renew Nigerians’ commitment to mercy, peace and compassion, while inspiring collective efforts towards building a country where citizens could live with dignity and hope.

He wished Muslim faithful across the country a peaceful and blessed Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

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Sardaunan Gombe Felicitates Muslims on Eid-ul-Maulud, Urges Prayers for Peace, Unity and Progress.

Published

13 hours ago

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August 26, 2026

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Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, the Sardaunan Gombe and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Gombe State, has joined Muslims across Gombe State, Nigeria and beyond in celebrating Eid-ul-Maulud, commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

In a goodwill message, Gwamna extended warm greetings to Muslim faithful and urged them to use the occasion to reflect on and emulate the exemplary life, teachings and virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He said the Prophet’s enduring messages of peace, compassion, patience, tolerance, justice and love for humanity should continue to guide the conduct of individuals and communities towards building a peaceful, united and progressive society.

“As we celebrate Eid-ul-Maulud, may the life, humility, compassion and peace exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) inspire us to become better people and contribute to building a kinder, more united and prosperous society.

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“May this blessed occasion renew our faith, strengthen our bonds of brotherhood and unity, and fill our homes with peace, our hearts with love, and our lives with Allah’s abundant blessings.”

Gwamna further urged Muslims and all residents to sustain prayers for lasting peace and progress in Gombe State and Nigeria, particularly for an end to insecurity and other challenges confronting the nation.

He called on citizens to promote unity, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence, stressing that collective commitment to peace and unity remains essential for the development and progress of the country.

The Sardaunan Gombe also appealed to residents to celebrate the occasion responsibly, observe necessary precautions and obey traffic rules while marking the day in their communities and neighbourhoods.

He wished Muslims a peaceful and blessed Eid-ul-Maulud celebration and prayed that Allah continues to guide the country’s leaders and citizens towards peace, unity, prosperity and progress.

 

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