Nigeria-After-the-Independence

Page 1: Nigeria After Independence (Part 1)

Key Events

  • Date of Republic Formation: October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a republic.

  • Presidency: Nnamdi Azikiwe became president with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as prime minister, though Balewa held more power.

Ethnic Conflicts and Regional Tensions

  • Post-Independence Issues: After a brief period of stabilization, Nigeria faced ethnic competitiveness, educational inequality, and economic imbalance.

  • Controversial Census (1962-63): Regional stresses intensified with a census that highlighted ethnic divisions.

  • Creation of the Mid-West Region: To mitigate ethnic conflict, the Mid-West region was created in August 1963 by dividing the Western region.

Geographic and Ethnic Division

  • Three Major Regions: Nigeria was divided into three geographic regions controlled by major ethnic groups: the Yoruba in the west, the Igbo in the east, and the Hausa-Fulani in the north.

Conflict Overview

  • Endemic Conflicts: Regional leaders protected their privileges, leading to complaints from the south regarding northern dominance, while the north feared southern elites capturing power.

  • Political Tensions: Breakdown in the west's government in 1962 and a boycott of the 1964 federal elections pushed Nigeria towards crisis.

The Coup of January 1966

  • Militarization of Politics: A coup attempt in January 1966 resulted in the assassination of Prime Minister Balewa and two regional premiers, leading to military governance under Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.

  • Reaction to Military Rule: Plans by Aguiyi-Ironsi to abolish regional divisions faced backlash, resulting in anti-Igbo riots.

  • Subsequent Counter Coup: In July 1966, northern officers staged a counter-coup, leading to the assassination of Aguiyi-Ironsi and the rise of Lieutenant Colonel (later General) Yakubu Gowon.

Political Crisis and Civil War

  • Intra-Ethnic Clashes: The situation was aggravated by clashes in the north and secession threats from the south.

  • Constitutional Conference Failure: Attempts to settle Nigeria's constitutional future were thwarted by ethnic massacres in October.

  • Biafra Secession: In January 1967, tensions escalated after Ojukwu of the Eastern region authorized the establishment of a sovereign republic as the federal government divided regions into 12 states.

Page 2: Nigeria's Civil War

Secession Declaration

  • Biafra's Declaration: On May 30, 1967, Ojukwu declared the independence of the Eastern Region as the Republic of Biafra, which the federal government saw as rebellion.

  • Military Conflict: Fighting began in July 1967 and escalated into a civil war.

Military Engagements

  • Biafran Advances: Biafran troops initially made significant territorial gains, crossing the Niger and reaching near Lagos.

  • Federal Retaliation: Federal troops recaptured territories, including Enugu, Biafra's provisional capital.

Humanitarian Crisis

  • Casualties and Resistance: The conflict resulted in heavy civilian casualties amid a rising humanitarian crisis, particularly as Biafra faced food shortages.

  • Peacemaking Attempts: Efforts by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to mediate were ineffective while aid began to pour into Biafra from international organizations.

Fall of Biafra

  • Final Collapse: On December 24, 1969, federal troops intensified attacks leading to Biafra's collapse. Ojukwu fled, and a formal surrender occurred days later.

  • Reintegration into Nigeria: General Gowon managed to integrate former Biafran states back into Nigeria without attributing war blame to them.

Page 3: Militarization and Transition

Political Landscape Post-War

  • Oil Boom: The post-war oil boom provided funds for developmental programs and helped consolidate federal power.

  • Gowon's Regime: Gowon delayed a return to civilian rule until 1976 but was overthrown in July 1975.

Brief Leadership Changes

  • Murtala Mohammed's Reforms: Brig. Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed briefly initiated reforms and began relocating the federal capital to Abuja but was assassinated in 1976.

  • Olusegun Obasanjo's Presidency: His military regime followed but was marked by a focus on a return to civilian governance.

Policies of Buhari (1983-85)

  • Coup Justifications: Buhari cited Second Republic troubles and economic decline to justify his military coup. His regime initiated a “War Against Indiscipline” (WAI).

  • Declining Popularity: Overreach in WAI extended to journalists, leading to a waning government support.

Page 4: Babangida's Governance

Shift in Leadership

  • Babangida Gaining Power: General Ibrahim Babangida came to power in a bloodless coup in August 1985, initially projecting a caring leadership image.

  • Civil Rights Violations: While promising reforms, Babangida worked to suppress genuine democratic processes.

Changes to Political Climate

  • Announced Transition: A transition program for returning to civilian rule was announced, extending into the early 1990s but remained under military control.

  • Political repression: Numerous political parties were manipulated, with agendas favoring the government.

1992 Presidential Elections

  • Election Circumvention: Presidential primaries were annulled, and candidates' political ambitions were suppressed.

  • Annulling of Results: The June 1993 elections resulted in a notable victory for Chief M.K.O. Abiola, but Babangida nullified the results, leading to significant political unrest.

Page 5: Abacha Regime

Seizure of Power

  • Babangida's Overthrow: The Interim National Government was ousted by General Sani Abacha in November 1993, reinstating military rule.

  • Promise of Transition: Abacha promised a transition to civilian rule while simultaneously tightening his grip on power.

Human Rights Violations

  • Abacha's Rule: Marked by brutal suppression of dissent, including the imprisonment and demise of Abiola.

  • Continued Opposition: Despite extreme measures, domestic opposition persisted along with international condemnation.

Page 6: Post-Abacha Era

Transition to Civilian Rule

  • Death of Abacha: His sudden death in June 1998 opened the door to political change under Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, who promised to transfer power to civilians.

  • Political Rebirth: Political activity resumed, leading to elections in early 1999.

1999 Elections

  • Emergence of New Parties: The People's Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy, and All People’s Party were formed and contested elections.

  • Obasanjo's Victory: Olusegun Obasanjo was declared the winner of the presidential election, marking a shift back to civilian governance.

Page 7: Elections and Governance Challenges

Elections of 2011

  • Reform of Electoral Process: President Jonathan sought to enhance the integrity of elections following irregularities in 2007.

  • 2011 Election Results: Jonathan won the presidential election with 59% of the vote amidst controversies and protests from opposition.

Boko Haram's Emergence

  • Founding of Boko Haram: Formed in 2002, the group gained notoriety after 2009, escalating violence against government entities and civilians.

Challenges Faced

  • Ongoing Violence: Boko Haram's activities spurred additional violence, widespread fear, and governmental pressures.

  • International Response: The kidnapping of schoolgirls in Chibok in April 2014 drew global attention and led to increased international support for Nigerian efforts to curb Boko Haram's activities.