CIA files tipped Buhari to be ousted by a coup in 6 months in 1984 (See proof)

CIA files tipped Buhari to be ousted by a coup in 6 months in 1984 (See proof)

- Declassified CIA reports said issues of Buhari's slowness, appointment of mostly northern officers into positions and lack of a strong economic savvy were all reasons that could cause a countercoup quickly while he was military head of state

- Although Buhari stayed for over a year in office before he was removed by a coup in August 1985, CIA felt his ouster could have come sooner because he allowed his own fall by giving too much room for doubts among his officers in the supreme military council

- The United States of America had expected General Muhammadu Buhari not to last up to six months in office as head of state because of the many issues he appeared unable to solve at the time

CIA files tipped Buhari to be ousted by a coup in 6 months in 1984
CIA analysts said Buhari was not doing well to keep his promises and was in danger of being quickly ousted by a countercoup in 6 months in 1984

The military government of Muhammadu Buhari in 1984 was tipped to last just about six months, latest declassified files of analysis by the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have revealed.

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The files which were acquired by Legit.ng gave reasons for its prediction to include slowness of the Buhari government in picking military officers for positions as well as resentment of southern military officers that most of the political appointments went to the northerners.

The US also expressed total lack of confidence in the ability of then General Buhari to strengthen the Nigerian economy which had been depleted by the Shehu Shagari regime that was ousted in December 1983.

The report read: “But Head of State General Buhari still appears unsure of how to begin tackling Nigeria’s economic and political problems.”

The CIA files draw the conclusion that “Prospects for an economic turnaround are poor, mainly because of the soft world oil market.”

It added that one thing the Buhari administration would succeed well in is enforcing austerity measures previously created by the Shagari regime.

“…We have serious doubts the military will prove more effective than its civilian predecessors in stemming the economic decline. At best, we believe the military will be forced to preside over the implementation of austerity measures drawn up during the Shagari administration.”

READ ALSO: Declassified CIA files revealed possible political development in Nigeria

It wraps it up with the statement that: "Whatever approach the government pursues, we expect increased grumbling and plotting within the military that will a countercoup a growing possibility during the near term.

“Every successful coup in Nigeria has been followed within six months by an attempted countercoup, and we believe Buhari may have even less grace time.”

See snapshots of the CIA files below:

CIA files tipped Buhari to be ousted by a coup in 6 months in 1984
A snapshot of the front page of declassified CIA files on Buhari in 1984.

CIA files tipped Buhari to be ousted by a coup in 6 months in 1984
Second page of the report on Buhari by CIA in 1984.

CIA files tipped Buhari to be ousted by a coup in 6 months in 1984
Page three of the report giving a summary of the CIA's analysis on Buhari's military regime in 1984.

Source: Legit.ng

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