Military intervention into the politics of a state involves ______

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks what "military intervention" in politics involves. The key word is military, which points to the armed forces (army, navy, air force).

Step 2: Explain the concept Military intervention in politics (also called a coup d'état) happens when the armed forces step out of their constitutional role of defending the country. They remove the existing government, usually by force or the threat of force, and take control of the state. Nigeria's experience includes the January 1966 coup and the December 1983 coup that ended the Second Republic.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Overthrow by pressure groups: Wrong. Pressure groups (such as trade unions or professional associations) influence policy but do not have the means to seize power. They are not the military.
• B. Seizure of power from a legitimate government by the armed forces: Correct. It names the armed forces as the actors, and it describes the takeover of a lawfully constituted government.
• C. Violent overthrow by the police: Wrong. The police are not the military, and a police takeover is not what "military intervention" means.
• D. Legitimate seizure of power by police and civilians: Wrong. A seizure of power from a government is not legitimate, and the police and civilians are not the military.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B.

Exam tip: Match the key word in the question to the actor in the option. "Military" means "armed forces," so options naming pressure groups, police, or civilians can be eliminated straight away. Also watch for "legitimate" in the wrong place: a coup is never a legitimate way of taking power.