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Question

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

Arrange the following major political developments during Nigeria's First Republic (1960–1966) in their correct chronological sequence, from earliest to latest:

  1. 1Commencement of the treasonable felony trial of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and leading members of the Action Group
  2. 2Formal adoption of the Republican Constitution, officially establishing Nigeria as a Federal Republic with a ceremonial President
  3. 3Nationwide political crisis resulting from the electoral boycott declared by the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA)
  4. 4Widespread violent civil unrest and political uprising in Western Nigeria, popularly known as 'Operation Wetie'

Answer

The correct chronological order of events during the First Republic is: 1) The treasonable felony trial of Chief Obafemi Awolowo (November 1962), 2) The adoption of the Republican Constitution (October 1963), 3) The UPGA election boycott during the federal elections (December 1964), and 4) The 'Operation Wetie' political unrest in Western Nigeria (October 1965).
The correct sequence follows the exact historical timeline of Nigeria's First Republic crises: Chief Obafemi Awolowo's treasonable felony trial commenced in November 1962; Nigeria transitioned to a Federal Republic under the 1963 Republican Constitution on October 1, 1963; the federal election crisis and UPGA boycott occurred in December 1964; and the violent 'Operation Wetie' protests erupted after the rigged regional elections of October 1965.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the date of the Action Group leadership treason trial
November 1962, following the declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region
Establishes the earliest event in the list
2
Determine the date when Nigeria became a Federal Republic
October 1, 1963, replacing the 1960 Independence Constitution
Places the Republican Constitution second in chronological order
3
Identify the timeframe of the UPGA federal parliamentary election boycott
December 1964, caused by disputes over voter register inflation and candidate intimidation
Establishes the third political crisis event in the timeline
4
Identify the timing of the 'Operation Wetie' uprising in the Western Region
October 1965 into early 1966, following the disputed Western House of Assembly elections
Places the Western Region violence as the final milestone leading to the January 1966 coup

Key Concept

Chronological sequence of First Republic crises and constitutional developments (1962–1965)
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First Republic Politics and Major Crises (1960–1966)