The Digest:
With Buhari’s death in July 2025, only two leaders from the historic 1983 coup remain: Ibrahim Babangida, former Chief of Army Staff and later Head of State, and Mohammed Magoro, ex-Minister of Internal Affairs. Their survival signals the closing chapter of the era that began on December 31, 1983, when Buhari and his Supreme Military Council toppled Nigeria’s Second Republic and set the course for decades of military influence on national history.
Key Points
- Buhari’s 1983 coup ended Nigeria’s Second Republic.
- Only Babangida and Magoro are still alive from the original leadership.
- Deceased members: Buhari, Idiagbon, Bali, Aikhomu, Alfa, Vatsa, Abacha.
- The Supreme Military Council ruled until August 1985.
- The era was marked by anti-corruption campaigns and strict governance.
- Debates over the military rule’s legacy continue in Nigeria.
- The 1983 coup remains a pivotal moment in national history.
The Questions
- How has the 1983 coup shaped Nigeria’s democratic journey?
- What lessons emerge from the era’s military leadership?
- How will future generations remember Buhari and his contemporaries?
Era Fades, Buhari Remains
Sources: Premium Times, Punch Nigeria, BBC News Pidgin
