post colonial periods

Brief summary

Head of state Nnamdi Azikiwe and head of government Tafawa Balewa.

First coup was January 15th 1966 by major chukwuma Nzeogwu. This led to the deaths of 22 political and military officers mostly northerners. Power was handed over to Aguyi Ironsi. On July 29th 1966 a counter coup was organized by northern officials which killed ironsi and many Igbo officials. General Yamuna Gowon took over. Col. odumegwu Ojukwu did not recognize gowon as head of government and declared Biafra May 30th 1967

Civil war

May 30th 1967 - January 15th 1970

Between the federal government and the Igbos

Remote causes of the civil

Ethnic Chauvnism

Nepotism

Imperialism

Corruption

Political disorder

Immediate causes

Counter coup of 1966

Ojukwu did not recognize gowon

Declaration of Biafra

Igbo massacre of 1966

Godwin’s creation of 12 states

Military Rule

Armed forces seizing political power. Nigeria had 31 years of military rule

Reasons for military rule

Corruption

Misgovernance

Political disorder

Electoral crisis

Ethnicity issues

Features of military rule

Dictatorship

Rule by decree

No election

Centralized system of government

Fusion of legislative and executive arms