In our previous episodes, we discussed the history of Nigeria before the independence. We also took an analysis of what led to the amalgamation of Nigeria and consequently, the effects of the colonial rule in Nigeria and how Nigeria gained her independence. Here, we will look at the political situation of Nigeria after the independence.

According to some Nigerian history scholars and even from "oral tradition" of people that were privileged to witness Nigeria in the pre-independence and post-independence era, it has been believed by many that Nigeria; as a confederation; is a total mistake - saying that it would be better to refer to Nigeria as a cluster of various tribes and ethnic groups instead of a confederation. Well, obviously, Nigeria is home to over 250 different ethnic groups with over 400 sub-languages with varying traditions, religion, socio-political organizations etc.

This, and many more, is the reason some have quipped that Nigeria as a single political entity is only on paper and not on practice. On the other hand, some other historians; the likes of the renowned Ajayi; have argued that Nigeria is a definition of a true political entity, and unity can also be found in ethnic, cultural and traditional diversity.

Well, the differences in the school of thought between those that believed that the amalgamation was wrong and those that believed it was right led to tension within Nigeria. Just like anyone expected, the tension led to the most gruesome war in the history of Nigeria; the Nigeria-Biafran civil war.

Nigerian-Biafran Civil War

The Nigeria civil war lasted from 1967 (7 years after independence) to 1970 with a causality rate of over 2 million people (particularly Biafrans). There were many factors that triggered the civil war (both the immediate factors and the remote factors), but top on the list was ethnic diversity and marginalization. After the independence in 1960, the southern protectorate, which was later grouped under Eastern Nigeria which had majorly Igbo population, demanded for a separate republic (republic of Biafra) different from "one Nigeria". But like any other freedom fighting course, it led to conflict in political interest and Nigeria saw the demands of Biafrans as treason and an attack on national peace, while Biafrans saw Nigeria as inhibiting their freedom and liberation to form their own republic. This was how it turned into a full blown war with the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at the mantle of leadership of the Biafran troops.

The effects of the Nigerian-Biafran civil war was catastrophic - lives were lost, people were internally displaced, hunger etc. Before the war, however, a military coup d'etat was done and was led by the then Maj. Nzeogwu (a Southerner). The coup saw the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Nigeria; Tafawa Belewa (a Northerner). To counter the coup, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (a Northerner) led a counter-coup which saw the assassination of some prominent Southerners (particularly the Igbo tribes) including Aguyi Ironsi and also led to some South-Easterners forced out of the North, while some were brutally murdered. Gen. Yakubu Gowon installed himself as the military head of state.

With all these aforementioned cruel treatments, war brewed; even when some parties sought to resolve the issue peacefully, success was not in view. Of course, what do you expect with a country that was ruled by the military? It is worthy to note that; at that time; as against civilian rule, Nigeria was ruled by the military. As a matter of fact, Nigeria was better referred to as "Federal Military Government of Nigeria" instead of "Federal Republic of Nigeria", because most of the leaders installed themselves through coup.

All these were what remotely led to the civil war. Well, Nigeria had more external support than Biafra - the likes of United Kingdom (as a former colonial master and creator of "one Nigeria" through amalgamation), USSR, US, Saudi Arabia (of course major parts of the North were islamists of Arabian descent), Syria etc. With their many supports, Nigerian troops were able to capture many Biafran states like Enugu (which was the then capital of Biafra), Abia etc.

Even though the Nigerian military government saw the civil war as an instrument to maintain the unity of Nigeria, many around the world; even Biafrans themselves; saw it as a coordinated genocide on Biafrans. Asides the people that died in battle (which were majorly Biafrans), supplies were cut of from Biafra and about 2 million South-Easterners (Biafrans) starved to death. When the Biafrans could not keep up with the war, the leader of the Biafran troops; Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu left Nigeria with his family and his second-in-command surrendered to Nigeria. This led to the cessation of the war and "one Nigeria stood"... still on paper maybe. This video documentary will give you an insight of the Nigeria-Biafran civil war.

After the war, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who was at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, introduced a rehabilitation programme called "Three-R" (Reconstruction, Reconciliation, and Rehabilitation) to even out the effects of the war. Also, an order was given that all Biafran currency holders should lodge them into designated banks and declared that the Nigerian Naira (and kobo) is the only recognized national legal tender. Also, the Biafran flags, coat of arm etc were ordered to be dismounted. However, till now, some Biafrans still believe that they are still marginalized even with the "one Nigeria" slogan.

References: Ref1, Ref2, Ref3, Ref4