Six causes of the first military intervention in Nigerian politics: (i)The Western Regional electoral crisis of 1965.
(ii) The general electoral crises of 1964 between the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) and United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA).
(iii) The inter-tribal politics among the three major tribes Hausa/Fulani, lgbo and Yoruba.
(iv) The census crisis of 1962/63.
(v) Inordinate ambition of the military to taste political power.
(vi) Corruption.
(vii) Inter and intra-party conflicts.
(viii) Politicization of the army e.g. involvement of the army in the Western Regional crisis and the Tiv riots in 1964.
(ix) Influence of other coups in Africa e.g. Egypt, Togo, Central African Republic, etc.
(x) Economic mismanagement by the politicians.
(xi) Nepotism/sectionalism in the public service.