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Question

Difficulty: HardFirst Republic Politics and Major Crises (1960–1966)

Chronologically sequence the following major political crises of Nigeria's First Republic from the earliest to the latest event.

  1. 1The Action Group intra-party split and subsequent declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region
  2. 2The inter-regional dispute and rejection of the National Population Census results
  3. 3The nationwide constitutional crisis and boycott surrounding the Federal Parliamentary Elections
  4. 4The Western Nigeria House of Assembly Election crisis and the widespread political violence known as 'Operation Wetie'

Answer

The correct chronological sequence begins with the Action Group crisis in May 1962, followed by the National Census controversy (1962–1963), the Federal Parliamentary Election crisis in December 1964, and concludes with the Western Region election crisis ('Operation Wetie') in October 1965.
The historical progression of crises in Nigeria's First Republic was initiated by the Western Region state of emergency following the Action Group rift (May 1962), followed by the Census crisis (1962–1963), the Federal Parliamentary Election boycott (December 1964), and ending with the violent Western Regional Election crisis (October 1965).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the date of the Action Group crisis
May 1962
The crisis erupted due to ideological and tactical division within the Western Region's ruling party, leading federal authorities to suspend the regional government.
2
Determine the timeframe of the National Population Census controversy
1962–1963
The initial 1962 headcount was canceled due to regional inflation allegations, and the 1963 recounted figures were formally rejected by Southern leaders.
3
Determine the date of the Federal Parliamentary Election crisis
December 1964
Allegations of widespread voter suppression caused the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) to boycott the federal polls, causing severe executive tension.
4
Determine the date of the Western Region Election crisis ('Operation Wetie')
October 1965
Massive electoral fraud during the regional election sparked violence across the West, causing severe breakdown of order immediately prior to the January 1966 coup.

Key Concept

Chronology of First Republic Crises (1960–1966)
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Topics

First Republic Politics and Major Crises (1960–1966)