(continued)
..... At the next elections, in 1983, amid widespread allegations of rigging and intimidation NPN was returned to power and Shehu Shagari was sworn in for a second term.
On 31 December 1983 the armed forces, led by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, intervened again. The Supreme Military Council (SMC) suspended the constitution, banned political parties and arrested politicians. The coup was welcomed initially, but popular opposition grew as dissatisfaction grew over the operation of special tribunals set up to try former politicians, and at powers of detention without trial and press censorship.
In August 1985 military officers led by Major-General Ibrahim Babangida overthrew the government of Buhari. Several decrees were revoked, while journalists and other detainees were released.
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