The hopes of our founding fathers at the attainment of independence in 1960, has increasingly, been far removed from what they imagined the new nation would become. The nascent country of Nigeria comprising its initial three regions, soon increased to four, few years later, lived to its expectations by the time it became a republic in 1963. Each of the four regional premiers proudly governed their respective regions based on their separate constitutions. Overall administrative leadership of the federation was by the Prime Minister with a ceremonial President acting as figure head. The rapid growth experienced across the nation was a show case, on how federalism could work in a multi-ethnic and diverse reconstituted nation.
Sadly the prospects of a virile nation ceased to be following cataclysmic series of events triggering the1966 civil war.
To be or not to be, became the crux of an embattled nation. Precursors to the fracturing of the nation included rising tensions surrounding 1964 elections in the Western Region, and subsequent protests regarding its outcome. The ensueing up-risings disrupted civil society in the Western Region, necessitating increased security presence in the major cities of the West. Unfortunately politicians were misappropriating state resources. They were generally perceived as flagrantly corrupt. These realities were not lost to observers including young military officers who had started conceiving a coup plot from mid 1965.
Things fall Apart
The January 1966 coup brought the first Republic to a rude halt. With the death of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Prime Minister, the then senate president Sir Nwafor Orizu following consultations, including a phone call to Dr. Namdi Azikiwe, the first President of Nigeria, handed over the reigns of leadership to General Aguiyi Ironsi, to become the first military Head of State. Despite attempts to restore order under the new military leadership, sections of the country, particularly in the North remained aggrieved due to what appeared to be disproportionate killings of officers from the North during the January coup. Increasing agitation in the North escalated to the pogrom of Easterners in May 1966. Sadly these state of affairs worsened as the then military head of state also of Ibo origin, was accused of not despencing with the coup plotters as was the practice. The retaliatory coup of July 1966, in which Ironsi was assassinated alongside Lt. Col Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, among other officers who also died; put paid to any hopes of resolution of the spate of internecine onslaughts perpetrated by aggrieved groups. Left with little choice, the then military governor of the Eastern Region, Lt Col Odumegwu Ojukwu in a bid to protect the Igbos from further killings declared independence from the rest of the country, and formed the Republic of Biafra. The Federal Government of Nigeria, now led by Lt General Yakubu Gowon, who succeeded General Aguiyi Ironsi, invaded Biafra.
The Nigerian Civil war lasted from 1967 to 1970.
The Military Years - coup and counter-coups
General Gowon as Head of State continued with efforts to rebuild a nation under military rule. His rallying slogan of "No Victor, No Vanquished" may have been on the surface motivating and engendering healing of wounds especially among Easterners, being reintegrated to Nigeria. Gowon's government enacted a Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (3 Rs) policy initiative to facilitate the process or rebuilding a battered nation. Many have questioned the extent this policy was implemented. Over the years the evidence indicate communities previously under the former Eastern Region has remained marginalised and excluded from the socio-political fabric of the country. Major infrastructural developments were not carried out over several years. Whilst Gowon's government focused on reforms and post-civil war infrastructural development, his seeming delays transitioning to civilian government and perhaps sympathy to implementing policies that would drive inclusive governance including inviting Chief Obafemi Awolowo into the government may have irked some elements in the military. General Muritala Mohammed, a key player in the July 1966 coup, often seen as a restive character spearheaded the coup that unsitted Gowon in 1976. Muritala was himself killed in the subsequent failed coup later that year led by Col Bisala Dimka. General Obasanjo, then Chief of Army Staff to Obasanjo took over as Head of State, ensuring the transition to civilian government continued until 1979 when he handed over to an democratically elected government.
Second Republic and aborted Third Republic
This is the extended years of military dictatorship which began with General Olusegun Obasanjo handing over power to a democratically elected civilian government in 1979 after successful elections. The government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari completed its first term from 1979 to 1983, and was due to commence its second term when it was terminated by Buhari and Idiagbon's military intervention. General Buhari barely completed a year in office before they were removed in a bloodless military coup by General Ibrahim Babanginda. The Babangida years was one of intrigue and deceptive posturing, which led to Babangida being referred to as "Maradona".
.... see part 2.
