Babangida overthrows Buhari

On August 27, 1985, General Ibrahim Babangida led a bloodless coup that removed General Muhammadu Buhari from power after just 20 months in office. The coup was executed by a group of middle-ranking military officers who announced the change of government on Radio Nigeria in the early morning hours. Babangida, who had served as Chief of Army Staff under Buhari, immediately assumed leadership as Chairman of the Armed Forces Ruling Council and promised a return to democratic governance.

Buhari's military government had become increasingly unpopular due to harsh economic policies, including the War Against Indiscipline campaign and strict currency controls that created severe shortages of essential goods. The regime's authoritarian approach, including detention of politicians and journalists without trial under Decree 4, had alienated many Nigerians. Additionally, tensions within the military hierarchy grew as some officers felt excluded from decision-making processes, creating the conditions for internal revolt against Buhari's leadership.