Examkin

Question

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

Match each major political event or alliance of Nigeria's First Republic (1960–1966) in Column A with its corresponding political outcome or core dispute in Column B.

  • Action Group Crisis of 1962Factional rift between Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Akintola leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region
  • Census Crisis of 1962/1963Dispute over demographic numbers that affected federal parliamentary seat allocations and revenue distribution
  • Federal Election Crisis of 1964Widespread electoral boycott resulting in a temporary constitutional impasse between President Azikiwe and Prime Minister Balewa
  • United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA)Coalition formed by the NCNC, Action Group, and UMBC to oppose the Nigerian National Alliance (NNA)

Answer

Action Group Crisis of 1962 matches the factional rift between Awolowo and Akintola; Census Crisis of 1962/1963 matches the dispute over demographic numbers for seat allocation; Federal Election Crisis of 1964 matches the widespread electoral boycott and constitutional impasse; United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) matches the coalition formed by NCNC, Action Group, and UMBC.
Each historical event is accurately paired with its primary catalyst or structural consequence during Nigeria's First Republic (1960–1966). The Action Group Crisis brought federal intervention in the West; the Census controversy challenged revenue and seat distribution; the 1964 election deadlock pitted executive figures against each other after boycotts; and UPGA consolidated opposition political parties.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the internal party struggle of the Western Region ruling party in 1962.
Recognize that the Action Group Crisis involved Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Akintola, which resulted in a state of emergency.
Intra-party disagreements over strategy led to open chaos in the Western House of Assembly.
2
Analyze the cause of inter-regional friction during the 1962/1963 population counts.
Connect the Census Crisis to political representation and revenue distribution controversies.
In Nigeria's federal system, regional population totals directly determined parliamentary seats and federal allocations.
3
Examine the political stand-off after the December 1964 federal polls.
Link the Federal Election Crisis of 1964 to opposition boycotts and the deadlock between the President and Prime Minister.
UPGA's boycott of the elections created a constitutional vacuum regarding government formation.
4
Classify the multi-party electoral alliances formed prior to the 1964 elections.
Identify UPGA as the combined alliance of NCNC, Action Group, UMBC, and NEPU.
Party leaders formed grand coalitions to contest power across regional boundaries.

Key Concept

First Republic Political Crises and Alliances (1960–1966)
Rate this question

Topics

First Republic Politics and Major Crises (1960–1966)