Back to: History SSS 2
My brilliant Afrilearn superstar! I hope you’re having a fantastic day! Imagine you and your friends finally get the chance to run your own school after years of being controlled by outsiders. Everyone is excited, but disagreements start to arise about who should lead and how things should be done. This was exactly what happened in Nigeria’s First Republic (1960–1966).
The First Republic 1960-1966; political developments
Today, we’ll be discussing the political developments of Nigeria’s First Republic, how the country was governed, and what led to its eventual collapse in 1966.
What Was the First Republic?
The First Republic (1960–1966) was the first period when Nigerians fully governed themselves after gaining independence from Britain on October 1, 1960. It was a parliamentary system of government, similar to the British system, where the Prime Minister was the head of government, and the President was a ceremonial leader.
Political Structure of the First Republic
Head of State – Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became Nigeria’s first President in 1963 when Nigeria became a republic.
Head of Government – Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the Prime Minister, responsible for running the government.
Three Regional Governments – Nigeria was divided into three major regions (later four in 1963):
Northern Region – led by Sir Ahmadu Bello
Western Region – led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Eastern Region – led by Dr. Michael Okpara
Mid-Western Region (created in 1963)
Each region had its own Premier and controlled its local affairs.
Political Developments in the First Republic
Formation of Political Parties
The First Republic was dominated by three major political parties, each representing different regions:
Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) – Led by Ahmadu Bello, controlled the North.
National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) – Led by Nnamdi Azikiwe, controlled the East.
Action Group (AG) – Led by Obafemi Awolowo, controlled the West.
Nigeria Becomes a Republic (1963)
In 1963, Nigeria cut all official ties with Britain and became a republic, meaning it was fully independent.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first President of Nigeria.
Ethnic and Political Rivalries
The major political parties were based on ethnic groups, which created regional divisions and tensions.
The Western Region Crisis (1962) led to conflicts between Awolowo’s AG and his deputy, Samuel Akintola.
These divisions made governance difficult and created suspicion among political leaders.
Census Controversy of 1962–1963
The 1962–1963 population census led to disputes, as regions accused each other of inflating population figures to gain more seats in government.
1964 General Elections Crisis
The 1964 elections were marred by electoral fraud and violence. The opposition boycotted the elections, leading to a political deadlock.
Western Region Political Crisis (1965)
The 1965 elections in the Western Region led to widespread violence and protests, as people accused the government of rigging the elections.
This crisis, known as “Operation Wetie”, created instability in the country.
Military Coup of January 15, 1966
Due to political instability, a group of young military officers led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu staged a military coup on January 15, 1966.
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and several top politicians were killed.
The First Republic was overthrown, and Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi took over as Nigeria’s first military Head of State.
Summary
The First Republic (1960–1966) was Nigeria’s first period of self-rule under a parliamentary system of government. The country had three main political parties (NPC, NCNC, AG), and leadership was based on regional divisions. However, political rivalries, election rigging, ethnic tensions, and violence weakened the republic. This led to the January 15, 1966 military coup, which ended democratic rule in Nigeria.
Evaluation
- Who was Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, and what was his role?
- Mention three political parties of the First Republic and their leaders.
- What major event ended the First Republic?
- Why was the 1964 election controversial?
Keep believing in yourself because knowledge is power. See you in the next lesson—keep shining, Afrilearn superstar!
School Owner? Grow your school with Africa's most trusted school management + content platformGet more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on Android [DOWNLOAD]
Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on iPhone [DOWNLOAD]