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

Consider the key political developments and regional crises that occurred during Nigeria's First Republic (1960–1966). In what chronological order did these events occur, from earliest to latest?

  1. 1The Federal Parliament declares a state of emergency in the Western Region following breakdown of law and order in the regional House of Assembly.
  2. 2The official plebiscite and parliamentary creation of the Mid-Western Region out of the existing Western Region.
  3. 3The inauguration of the Republican Constitution, replacing the British Monarch with a Nigerian President as ceremonial Head of State.
  4. 4The constitutional impasse between President Nnamdi Azikiwe and Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa over the outcome of the boycotted federal parliamentary elections.

Answer

The correct chronological order of events from earliest to latest is: (1) The declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region (May 1962), (2) The creation of the Mid-Western Region (August 1963), (3) The adoption of the Republican Constitution (October 1, 1963), and (4) The constitutional impasse between the President and Prime Minister following the federal election (December 1964 – January 1965).
The events progressed chronologically as follows: First, the Action Group crisis led to the federal declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region in May 1962. Next, the Mid-Western Region was created in August 1963 following a referendum. Shortly after, Nigeria enacted the Republican Constitution on October 1, 1963. Finally, the post-election constitutional stalemate between President Azikiwe and Prime Minister Balewa occurred in December 1964 – January 1965.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the date of the Western Region emergency declaration.
The state of emergency in the Western Region was declared by Prime Minister Balewa's federal government in May 1962 after violence broke out in the Western House of Assembly.
This establishes May 1962 as the starting point among the listed events.
2
Identify the creation date of the Mid-Western Region.
The Mid-Western Region was formally created in August 1963 following a referendum in July 1963.
This event took place shortly before Nigeria transitioned to a Republic.
3
Determine the date Nigeria adopted the Republican Constitution.
Nigeria became a Republic on October 1, 1963, replacing Queen Elizabeth II with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as President.
This constitutional change occurred immediately after the Mid-Western region creation in late 1963.
4
Identify the period of the Azikiwe-Balewa election crisis.
The federal election crisis took place between December 1964 and January 1965 when UPGA boycotted elections and President Azikiwe initially refused to reappoint Balewa.
This places the federal election crisis as the latest event in the sequence.

Key Concept

Chronological timeline of major constitutional changes and political crises in Nigeria's First Republic (1960–1966)
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Topics

First Republic Politics and Major Crises (1960–1966)