Plot against Murtala Muhammed started from Day 1 –IBB

The plot that led to the assassination of Nigeria’s former Head of State, Major General Murtala Muhammed, on February 13, 1976, can be traced back to the day he assumed office in 1975. According to former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), Muhammed’s refusal to accept a power-sharing arrangement sparked discontent among younger officers, ultimately leading to his downfall.

IBB shared these insights in his autobiography, *A Journey in Service*, which was launched last Thursday. He highlighted how Muhammed’s leadership style won the hearts of many Nigerians but also led to drastic changes, such as the mass dismissal of top civil servants in 1975, which the country has yet to recover from.

The Power Struggle That Defined Murtala’s Leadership

Following the coup that removed General Yakubu Gowon from power, there were expectations that Muhammed would lead as part of a collective leadership rather than as a sole ruler. Younger officers who played a role in the coup preferred a “first among equals” arrangement, where Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo and Brigadier Theophilus Danjuma would share power with Muhammed.

On the evening of the coup, senior officers, including Brigade Commanders and General Officers Commanding (GOCs), met at Dodan Barracks to discuss the leadership structure. Some top officers, possibly Lt-Col. Shehu Yar’Adua or Colonel M. I. Wushishi, initiated the conversation about forming a triumvirate.

A group of officers—Colonel Wushishi, Lieutenant-Colonels Joe Garba, Abdullahi Mohammed, and Yar’Adua—privately met with Muhammed, Obasanjo, and Danjuma to propose the arrangement. However, those waiting outside soon heard Muhammed’s thunderous voice rejecting the idea outright. The meeting lasted for hours, but in the end, Muhammed accepted the role of Head of State on his terms—without being answerable to anyone.

Mass Retirements and Reshaping the Military

Muhammed wasted no time asserting his authority. The very next day, he ordered a wave of retirements, removing all officers above the rank of Major-General or those senior to any new government members.

Some of the key figures affected included:

- Vice-Admiral Joseph Wey, Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters  

- Major-General David Ejoor, Deputy Chief of Staff (Army)  

- Rear Admiral Nelson Soroh, Chief of Naval Staff  

- Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo  

- Deputy Inspector-General of Police, T. A. Fagbola

Simultaneously, new appointments were made:

- Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo replaced Wey as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters  

- Brigadier Theophilus Danjuma became Chief of Army Staff (previously called Chief of Staff, Army)  

- Brigadier Iliya Bisalla, the NDA Commandant, was appointed Minister of Defence  

- Alhaji Mohammed Dikko Yusuf became the Inspector-General of Police  

- Colonel John Yisa-Doko replaced Brigadier Emmanuel Ikwue as Chief of Air Staff

Muhammed also dismissed all military governors and the administrator of the East-Central State, replacing them with new leadership. Four new General Officers Commanding (GOCs) were appointed:

- Brigadier Julius Akinrinade (1 Division, Kaduna)  

- Brigadier Martin Adamu (2 Division, Ibadan)  

- Brigadier Emmanuel Abisoye (3 Division, Jos)  

- Brigadier John Obada (Lagos Garrison Organisation)

The newly formed Supreme Military Council (SMC) consisted of 20 members, with some officers also holding political positions as Commissioners. The shake-up drastically changed the military and political landscape of the country.

The Aftermath of the Mass Retirements

Muhammed’s administration launched probes into the conduct of the twelve military governors who served under Gowon. Ten were found guilty of illegal enrichment and were dismissed dishonorably. Only Brigadiers Oluwole Rotimi and Mobolaji Johnson were cleared of wrongdoing.

Civilians were not spared either. Investigations found several cabinet members guilty of corruption, though Finance Commissioner Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Alhaji Ali Monguno were exceptions. The crackdown on corruption led to asset forfeitures and an overhaul of the civil service.

Reflecting on these actions, Babangida admitted in his book that the administration may have overdone the retirements. While removing corrupt officials was necessary, some innocent civil servants became victims of an overzealous purge, fueled by public pressure and media influence.

Bold Reforms and Murtala’s Vision for Nigeria 

Despite the controversies, Muhammed wasted no time implementing bold policies. He was determined to return Nigeria to civilian rule, setting a transition date of October 1, 1979. He also made significant structural changes, including:

- Accepting Justice Akinola Aguda’s recommendation to move the Federal Capital to Abuja  

- Approving Justice Ayo Irikefe’s recommendation for state creation, increasing the number of states from twelve to nineteen  

The new states were:

- Ogun and Ondo (carved from the old Western State)  

- Anambra and Imo (split from the old East-Central State)  

- Niger (created from the North-Western State)  

- Benue (separated from Benue-Plateau State)  

- Bauchi (formed from the North-Eastern State)

One notable decision during state creation was the selection of Minna as the capital of Niger State instead of Bida. Muhammed, known for his impulsiveness, made the choice with a rare smile, signaling his approval.

A Strong but Pragmatic Leader

Muhammed was often seen as a decisive and sometimes impulsive leader, but those close to him knew a softer side. During SMC meetings, younger officers saw a more reflective and thoughtful leader who carefully considered policies before acting.

On the international stage, Muhammed took a bold stance. Despite Cold War tensions, he firmly supported the Marxist-oriented People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) over opposition groups like the FNLA and UNITA. This decision put him at odds with U.S. President Gerald Ford but reinforced Nigeria’s independent foreign policy.  

Conclusion

Murtala Muhammed’s tenure as Head of State was short but impactful. His refusal to accept a power-sharing arrangement and his aggressive reforms earned him both admiration and enemies. While he sought to fight corruption, his mass retirements left lasting effects on Nigeria’s civil service. His bold decisions, from state creation to foreign policy, shaped the country’s direction.

However, his uncompromising approach also made him a target. Just seven months after taking office, his leadership was cut short by an assassination that many believe was the direct result of his defiant leadership style.