Widespread civil disorder followed allegations that some government ministers were misappropriating stocks of food aid and accused President Hamani Diori of consolidating power.

[1] Diori was the longest serving leader in the Organisation of African Unity, which he helped maintain, and he was well-known as the main international negotiator for francophone Africa.

[2] Despite receiving warnings that Seyni Kountché was unreliable as early as 1973, Diori nonetheless promoted him to chief of staff, in the replacement of Balla-Arabé assigned to the Grand Chancellery.

[3] According to Kountché, over 3,000 tons of grain were held in a warehouse waiting for prices to rise, and when he brought the situation to Diori's attention, the president did nothing.

It was commonly believed that France was involved in some way in the coup due to their ties to the uranium industry in Niger, which they effectively monopolized.

[3] However, immediately after the coup, Kountché ordered the expulsion of the commander in chief of the French garrison in Niger, followed by the rest of the troops several weeks later.

As a result, the army established four grain distribution centers in Zinder, Maradi, Birni-N'Konni and N'guigmi and moved important drought relief goods.