By Ayodele Fagbohun

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Amid nostalgic, very low-key and solemn 64th anniversary of  nation’s independence as a result of ever recurring failing and poor deficit in leadership/administrative  style of governance  over the years, it is pestilent to say at this juncture that Nigeria  shall fare better as   a federal set up, against this failing unsuitable unilateral unitarianism which impinges our national development and progress

Moreso, this inappropriate negative  and unabashed  system  of Unitarianism foisted on Nigeria by the protracted military rule precludes  the nation to realize her latent immense manifest political de3stiny under high disciplined political leadership favorably compared to the diverse political leadership structure which ushered in independence for the country in 1960.

However it was unfortunate scenario that the expected joy and seemingly lucrativeness of the bright era of independence  celebrations  was bungled by the ineptitude  of some myopic and vitriolic Nigerian politicians in league with their military apologists and collaborators which in no distant time gave birth to dastardly opportunism, vengeance and brutal military dictatorship whose ramifying , deleterious effects, still pervasive and entomic in Nigeria’s political culture till this day.

It should be recalled, Professor Ade Ajayi, the late emeritus Professor of History did say Nigeria’s passage to independence, did not prepare country’s rules for the reality of running a democratic federal state, borne out of  formerly  autonomous regions.

Prof. Ajayi further shed light on Nigeria as a  budding and thriving  nation as follows:

(1)          the first  10 years of independence

(2)          the existence of three (3) main regions, or states and the creation of additional states.

(3)          The drama and brinkmanship of regional polities.

(4)          Minority fears amongst the tribes

(5)          The political assassinations, military coups and counter coups.

(6)          The descent to a civil  war which threatened and polarized the  existence of the federation of Nigeria.

According to Prof. Ajayi, the years preceding Nigeria’s independence saw the growth of the three (3) giant political parties and feature prominently some of the greatest personalities  Africa has  known.

”The Northen People’s Congress (NPC) has its roots in a political cultural discussion group  called Jami ‘ya Mutanen Arewa which was formed in 1948. Its aim was not to usurp the  continuity of their rulers but to help in the proper discharge of them.

“The group was renamed NPC in 1949 when the Macpherson constitution was about to be introduced.

“Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, the Sadauna of Sokoto was one of the founding members of the NPC. His father was the grandson of Usman dan  Folio, the Fulani religious leader who founded the Sokoto empire  at the beginning of the 19th century.

“The fact that by 1954, his party controlled the vast and dominant Northern Region, made him the  most powerful political figure in Nigeria, Although, his predominant image was one of a muslim religious leader.

.“Bello’s deputy, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,  a great man guided by a  sense of moderation was to become the first prime minister of the  Federal Republic of Nigeria. Throughout his  careers, he remained  a calm figure dedicated to trying to  hold the country’s more than 250 ethnic groups  together.

“In his first parliamentary speech as prime minister, he said the following words:

“Today, unity is our  greatest concern and it is the duty of every one of us to work to strengthen it. Bitterness  due to political differences will carry Nigeria nowhere and I appeal to all political leaders throughout the country to try to control their extremists.

“Nigeria is large enough to accommodate us in spite of  our political differences. “Balewa stated.

“The  National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroun (NCNC) was launched in 1944 at a meeting of Nigeria Unon  Students. Herbert Macuulay was  elected first president and  Nnamdi Azikiwe affectionately known as Zik  was elected  as General Secretary, Azikiwe became the national president of the NCNC after Macculay’s death in 1946.

“Dr. Azikiwe was a statesman, politicians, philosopher an African personality. He was a great  role model who prepared the minds and will of the people for independence.

“The formation of the Action Group (AG) was announced in 1951 by the leader, a young lawyer, Obafemi Awolowo. The Action Group grew out  of a cultural group of Yoruba students, Egbe  Omo  Oduduwa. The Action Group’s motto was freedom for all; life more abundant.”

“It was the party’s belief that “the people  of Western Nigeria in particular, and Nigeria in general, would have life more abundant when they enjoy freedom from the British colonial rule, free from ignorance, freedom from disease, and freedom from want,” Prof Ajayi reiterated.

The Richards constitution which was adopted in 1946 provided a central or federal legislature for the  entire Nigeria for the first time,  with the regional Houses of Assembly.

“It divided the country into three regions –  North, West and East the Southern Cameroons under the British mandate forming past of the Eastern Region inclusive.

“In the regional elections of 1951, NPC gained  control of Northern House of Assembly; Action  Group (AG) controlled the West; and the NCNC the East.

“In 1953, during the recession    of the House of Representatives, Anthony Enrosele  Enahoro, a leading Action Group member tabled a motion asking the House to accept “as primary political objective, the attainment of self government for Nigeria in 1956.

“The Sardauna  of  Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello proposed on amendment to delete the words in 1956” and substitute them with “as soon as practicable.”

“The council  of ministers decided by a majority that Enahoro’s motion should be opposed and Bello’s amendment supported.

“Action Group and NCNC members who supported the motion walked out of  the chamber  and the country was plunged into a constitutional crisis.

“The governor of Nigeria and leaders of the A.G, the NCNC and the NPC agreed on a new conference should be held to examine the defects in the constitution  and the question of self government in 1956.

“As a result of decisions taken at those conferences, a federal constitution was introduced in October 1954 which later became known as  Lyttletom constitution.

“It detached Lagos from the Western Region, making it a federal territory, and detached the Southern Cameroun’s from the Eastern Region

“Each region was given powers to make its own laws without  approval of the federal government.

The  regional  governments were to be headed by premiers. Alhaji Ahmadu Bello became premier  of the North. Chief Obafemi Awolowo became premier of the West and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became premier of the East.

“During the constitutional conferences,  the British government undertook to grant internal self government to any region which desired it. The Western and Eastern Regions were granted self government in 1956 and the Northern Region agreed to become self governing in 1959/

“It was also agreed that Eastern Region which up till then only had a House of Assembly, should also have a  House of Chiefs, with powers similar to those of Western House of Chiefs.

“Alhaji Abubakar Balewa, deputy leader of  NPC and Federal Minister of Transport was appointed Nigeria’s first prime minister.

“An election for an enlarged federal legislature took place in December  1959 which was contested on regional lines. No party enjoyed a majority but due to its size, the North had the largest representation.

“Balewa formed a new government in alliance with the NCNC. The Action Group became the opposition .

“Awolowo resigned  as premier of the West to become leader  of  the opposition  in the House of Representatives in Lagos. Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, deputy leader of the Action Group became premier of the West. Azikiwe also resigned premiership of the East to become president  of the Senate in Lagos, preparatory to become the nation’s first indigenous governor general after independence.

“Dr Michael Okpara become Premier of the East, Sir Bello the Sadauna of Sokoto  remained premier of the North.

‘Thus,  when Nigeria  formally became independent on October 1, 1960, it was under the NPC/NCNC coalition government headed by Balewa, with the Action group (AG) still forming the opposition under Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The late erudite professor of the History finally submitted that the road which led to October 1, 1960 was long and hard. He asserted that  it was not easy to formulate a constitution which would allay the fears of the diverse ethnic groups in the country.

He opined that out of love for the country, Nigerian political parties sank their differences and opted for independence.

From the treatises by the late Professor as quoted  copiously, it is unassailable   with empirical, scientific analysis that Nigeria will stand solid as a buoyant virile and sovereign nation and progress  then hitherto, under federal constitution  administered by responsible and determined leadership to succeed in the arduous task of governance.

The present trial and error  alien system or style  of governance is far shot of the expectations of the people heavily burdened  by travail of government over the  years.

Since the first military coup detact of  January 16, 1966, the  political leadership of the country was hijacked by both the  unconsciable  politicians and soldiers alike. Ever since Nigeria has known no peace  apart from the  peace of the graveyard and stability of standing still.

Since the so called flag  independence only won on the latter of gold 54 yeas ago, we only and merely postpone the doom’s day lurching ahead of us out of our venality,  brazen and indolent approach to politics which eventually brought the nation to cut de sac.

Suffice to say that Nigeria will fare better and remain an indivisible country where  no one will  be oppressed if the nation returns to the practice and commitment of true federalism as obtained during the latter part of colonial tutelage which granted the existing three (3) regions self governing autonomous status.

The political experiment lingered  on, covering the early period of independence era rudely terminated by a neglible  politically derelict, incompetent and opportunity soldiers who  purely abandoned their chosen traditional and unique role safeguarding the terridious integrity of the nation.

This piece will remain incomplete without paying glowing tribute to the founding fathers  of this great nation that gave us independence at the Lancaster House in London in the United Kingdom (UK).

Suffice to mention  Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Anthony Eronsele Enahoro to mention must a few out of men and women of giant stature in the esprit de corps, imbued with fire of  Nationalism which never extinguished until the battle against the alien rule won and political freedom independence  attained.

However, the struggle  still continue unabated and in earnest to keep the heterogeneous and disparate ethnic groups in Nigeria ever more united to fully and ably consolidate the tenets and rich  benefits of democracy. For, we still lay behind as a result to our wrong attitude and nature to good governance which runs at variance with and antithetical to the practice of democracy in the civilized democracies  across the globe.

To avert the  present perilous path and scenario being foolishly trodden by the successive administrations, the civilian and military rules  alike to self perdition, calamitous failure as a nation in spite of our incredible  natural potential. It stands  to reason that federalism is the panacea and answer to  organize the country along ethnic groups that are contiguous to allay the mutual fears of ethnic distrust and domination to the  barest minimum.

Instead of gambling all over the place, grooping in the dark, Nigeria may start afresh a new lease of life as a united federation, to realize her manifest destiny to lead the rest of Africa indeed the entire black race to supreme independence and modernity.