Olusegun Obasanjo

=== 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}}