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Question

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

To evaluate the escalating political tensions that ultimately led to the collapse of Nigeria's First Republic, place the following historical developments in chronological order from the earliest to the latest event.

  1. 1Declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region following the Action Group internal crisis
  2. 2Controversies and rejection surrounding the national population census figures
  3. 3Formation of the NNA and UPGA coalition alliances for the national parliamentary election
  4. 4Outbreak of severe widespread political violence ('Operation Wetie') in the Western Region

Answer

The correct chronological order of events is: first, the declaration of a state of emergency in the Western Region (May 1962); second, the national population census crisis (1962–1963); third, the formation of the NNA and UPGA political alliances (1964); and fourth, the outbreak of electoral violence in the Western Region ('Operation Wetie') in late 1965.
The correct chronological timeline begins with the Action Group crisis and Western Region emergency rule in May 1962, followed by the national population census conflict of 1962–1963, then the realignment of parties into NNA and UPGA in mid-1964, and concludes with the widespread violence of 'Operation Wetie' after the October 1965 Western Region elections.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the timeframe for the Action Group crisis and Western Region emergency rule.
The factional division within the Action Group led to the federal declaration of a state of emergency in May 1962.
This event signaled the first major federal intervention in regional governance after independence.
2
Determine the sequence of the Census crisis.
Demographic controversies over the 1962 enumeration led to its cancellation and a contested 1963 recount.
Census figures determined regional representation and political dominance in the federal parliament.
3
Trace the formation of broad political alliances ahead of the federal election.
The Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) and the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) were established in 1964.
Regional parties regrouped into macro-alliances to contest the December 1964 federal legislative elections.
4
Pinpoint the final regional election crisis.
Widespread civil unrest ('Operation Wetie') erupted following the October 1965 Western Regional elections.
Allegations of massive electoral malpractice led to arson and unrest, delivering the final blow to the First Republic.

Key Concept

Chronology of Political Crises in Nigeria's First Republic (1960–1966)
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Topics

First Republic Politics and Major Crises (1960–1966)