Olusegun Obasanjo

== In Murtala's government ==
=== Coup d'état of 1975 and aftermath ===
{{main|1975 Nigerian coup d'état|Supreme Military Council of Nigeria (1966–1979)}}
In July 1975, [[1975 Nigerian coup d'état|a coup]] led by [[Shehu Musa Yar'Adua]] and [[Joseph Garba]] ousted Gowon,{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1pp=42–43|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=81}} who fled to Britain.{{sfn|Derfler|2011|p=82}} They had not informed Obasanjo of their plans as he was known to be critical of coups as an instrument of regime change.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=43}} The coup plotters wanted to replace Gowon's autocratic rule with a triumvirate of three brigadiers whose decisions could be vetoed by a Supreme Military Council. For this triumvirate, they convinced General [[Murtala Muhammed]] to become head of state, with Obasanjo as his second-in-command, and Danjuma as the third.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1p=43|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=81}} Historian [[John Iliffe (historian)|John Iliffe]] noted that of the triumvirate, Obasanjo was "the work-horse and the brains" and was the most eager for a return to civilian rule.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=44}} Together, the triumvirate introduced austerity measures to stem inflation, established a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, replaced all military governors with new officers who reported directly to Obasanjo as Chief of Staff, and launched "Operation Deadwood" through which they fired 11,000 officials from the civil service.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=44}}

=== Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters: 1975–76 ===
In October 1975, the government announced plans for an election which would result in civilian rule in October 1979.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1p=45|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=82}} It also declared plans to create a committee to draft a new constitution, with Obasanjo largely responsible for selecting the 49 committee members.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=45}} On the recommendation of the [[Irifeke Commission]], the government also announced the creation of seven new states;{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|pp=45, 48}} at Obasanjo's insistence, Abeokuta was to become the capital of one of these new states, [[Ogun State|Ogun]].{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1pp=45, 48|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=83}} Also on the commission's recommendation, it announced gradual plans to move the Nigerian capital from Lagos to the more central Abuja.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1p=48|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=83}} In January 1976, both Obasanjo and Danjuma were promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant General.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=48}}

Both Murtala and Obasanjo were committed to ending ongoing European colonialism and white minority rule in southern [[Africa]], a cause reflected in their foreign policy choices.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1p=46|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=83}} This cause increasingly became a preoccupation for Obasanjo.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=47}} After [[Angola]] secured independence from Portugal, [[Angolan Civil War|a civil war broke out in the country]]. Nigeria recognised the legitimacy of the government declared by the [[MPLA]], a [[Marxism|Marxist]] group backed by the [[Soviet Union]], because the rival [[National Liberation Front of Angola|FNLA]] and [[UNITA]] were being assisted by the white minority government in South Africa.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1pp=46–47|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=94}} As well as providing material aid to the MPLA,{{sfn|Derfler|2011|p=94}} Nigeria began lobbying other African countries to also recognise the MPLA administration, and by early 1976 most states in the [[Organisation of African Unity]] (OAU) had done so.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=47}} In February 1976, Obasanjo led a Nigerian delegation to an MPLA anniversary celebration in [[Luanda]], where he declared: "This is a symbolic date, marking the beginning of the final struggle against colonialism, imperialism and racism in Africa."{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=47}}

=== Murtala's assassination: 13 February 1976 ===
In February 1976, Colonel [[Buka Suka Dimka]] [[1976 Nigerian coup d'état attempt|launched a coup against Nigeria's government]], during which General [[Murtala Muhammed]] was assassinated. An attempt was also made on Obasanjo's life, but the wrong individual was killed.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1p=48|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2pp=84–85}} Dimka lacked widespread support among the military and his coup failed, forcing him to flee.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=48}} Obasanjo did not attend Murtala's funeral in [[Kano (city)|Kano]], but declared that the government would finance construction of a mosque on the burial site.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=49}}

After the assassination, Obasanjo attended a meeting of the [[Supreme Military Council (Nigeria 1966)|Supreme Military Council]]. He expressed his desire to resign from government, but the Council successfully urged him to replace Murtala as head of state.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1pp=48–49|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=85}} He therefore became the council's chair.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=56}} Concerned about further attempts on his life, Obasanjo moved into the [[Dodan Barracks]],{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=51}} while 39 people accused of being part of Dimka's coup were executed, generating accusations that Obasanjo's response was excessive.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=50}} As head of state, Obasanjo vowed to continue Murtala's policies.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1p=50|2a1=Derfler|2y=2011|2p=85}}