77. Seven new states were created in 1976, bringing the total to 19. The process of creating additional states continued – by 1987, 21 states had been created and, by 1991, the number was 30. Finally, in 1996, the current number of 36 states was reached. The militarisation of politics 78. In the period after independence, Nigeria was plunged into a series of military coups, attempted coups and countercoups, as well as a bloody civil war motivated by secessionism, namely the Nigerian Civil War. In all, the country suffered several coups and was under military rule for a total of 29 years, interrupted only by a hiatus of 4 years of civilian rule. As the commandist tradition of the military is incompatible with such democratic tenets as negotiation, debate, consultation and accountability, the first effect of military rule was the general truncation of democratic values in Nigerian society. Civil liberties and other rights were curtailed. The society itself became one huge military garrison as democratic tradition came under military assault. 79. The First Republic lasted just over five years and was overthrown on 15 January 1966 by a small group of army officers led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. The federal prime minister and the premiers of the Northern and Western regions were assassinated. 80. Within six months, a coup led by a group of Northern military officers overthrew Major Gen. Ironsi’s government on the allegations that it had failed to quieten ethnic tensions or produce a constitution acceptable to all sections of the country. In a move that gave greater autonomy to minority ethnic groups, the ensuing military government divided the four regions into 12 states. 81. The creation of new states did not assuage the strong Igbo secessionist sentiment that continued to fester in the southeast. Ultimately, in May 1967, the military governor of the Eastern Region, Lieutenant Colonel Emeka Ojukwu, announced the secession of the region and proclaimed the independence of the Republic of Biafra. This resulted in civil war, which lasted for two-and-a-half years and led to the death of about 1 million people. 82. The third military coup was staged on 29 July 1975 by General Murtala Muhammed against General Yakubu Gowon’s military government on the grounds that the incumbent had delayed the promised return to civilian rule and that his administration was corrupt and ineffective. 83. General Muhammed was assassinated on 13 February 1976 in an abortive coup. His chief of staff, Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo, became head of state and worked towards returning Nigeria to civilian rule. 84. In 1977, a constituent assembly was constituted with the task of drafting a new constitution. The constitution, published on 21 September 1978, paved the way for the holding of national elections in 1979, which led to the ascendancy of the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari. 45