By Luke Onyekakeyah
It is appropriate at this juncture to highlight some of the historical landmarks that shaped the past 65years, for us to know where we are coming from.
Five years after independence, on January 14, 1966, the first military coup took place in which Nigeria’s first prime minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Belewa and some other prominent leaders were killed. Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi Ironsi became the first military Head of State. That coup marked the beginning of military interventions in Nigeria, which is largely responsible for the woes that beset the country.
Six months later on July 29, 1966, the second military coup took place in which the Head of State, Aguiyi Ironsi was killed. Lt. Col. Yakuba Gowon became the Head of State. There was crisis in the North and in the West. Many easterners were massacred, which led to mass exodus of people to the Eastern Region.
On May 27, 1967, in the midst of a national emergency, Gowon created 12 states from the four regions in Nigeria. Three days later on May 30, 1967, Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu, Military Governor of the Eastern Region, declared the Eastern Region as the independent Republic of Biafra. A month and six days later, on July 6, 1967, the Nigeria-Biafra war broke out. It lasted for three excruciating years of untold suffering on the Biafra side. On January 15, 1970, the war ended as Biafra surrendered. Over 2 million people died, mainly from malnutrition and properties worth millions destroyed.
Gowon ruled from the end of the war till July 29, 1975, when he was overthrown in a bloodless military coup (the third). Brig Murtala Muhammed took over as the Head of State. Six months later on February 13, 1976, the fourth military coup, led by Col. Buka Suka Dimka took place. Murtala Muhamed was killed and General Olesegun Obasanjo became the Head of Sate. Obasanjo ruled for three years, On 1stt October, 1979, after a general election, Obasanjo handed power to a civilian president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
Alhaji Shehu Shagari was overthrown on December 31, 1983 by Major General Mahamadu Buhari, who then became the Head of State. Buhari was in turn overthrown on August 27, 1985 by Major General Ibrahim Babangida. Babangida ruled for eight years. On August 26, 1993, after nullifying the election that was held on June 12, 1993, which Chief M.K.O. Abiola was the presumed winner, Babangida handed power to Chief Ernest Shonekan, as Head of the Interim National Government (ING).
Three months later, on November 17, 1993, Sani Abacha removed Shonekan in a palace coup. Suddenly, Abacha died in June 1998 and General Abdulsalami Abubakar became the head of state. It was General Abubakar who conducted a general election that brought Chief Olusegun Obasanjor (now a civilian) to power on May 29, 1999. Obasanjo presided over the Government for eight years and handed power to Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua on May 29, 2007, after a widely acknowledged flawed election. Unfortunately, Umaru Yar’Adua died on May 6, 2010 and Vice President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was elevated to become president.
It is obvious from the foregoing that Nigeria’s national life during the past 65years has been marked by coups, counter coups and struggle for power by the country’s military top shots. Governance was largely neglected, which explains why the country’s socio-political and economic reckonings are in shatters. Basic social amenities are lacking. Electricity and potable water are luxury. There is nothing to write home about roads, railway, hospital, education, and youth development, among others. Poverty, disease and mortality are high. Life expectancy is low at 47. Unemployment, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery are rampant. Corruption is pervasive, Nigeria’s reckoning in the comity of nations is woeful.
As the country begins another match forward, there is need to completely overhaul the flawed socio- economic and political structure, Government should focus on education and infrastructure development as two priorities that will transform the country. The unexploited abundant resources should be harnessed. The states should be made to be productive instead of depending on federal allocation. The electoral system should be overhauled to be able to produce competent leaders to lead the country.
Dr. Onyekakeyah, former member of The Guardian Editorial Board, is a public commentator and Daily Query columnist.
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