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Difficulty: MediumThe Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970)

Following the heightening political crisis of 1966, Nigerian political and military leaders met in Aburi, Ghana, in January 1967 to negotiate a peaceful resolution. Which of the following political arrangements best describes the system agreed upon in the Aburi Accord?

  1. A confederal structure granting maximum autonomy to the regions while leaving a weak central authorityAnswer
  2. B
    A unitary system consolidating supreme legislative authority within the central military high command
  3. C
    A rigid federal framework wherein the central government retained ultimate sovereign supremacy over regional laws
  4. D
    A parliamentary executive system redistributing power between a ceremonial president and regional premiers

Answer

A confederal structure granting maximum autonomy to the regions while leaving a weak central authority
The Aburi Accord of January 1967 sought to resolve the Nigerian crisis by establishing a confederal system. Under this agreement, regional governors held veto power over central policies, severely limiting central authority and granting extensive self-governance to each region.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical context of the Aburi Accord of January 1967.
The meeting aimed to prevent secession and full-scale conflict following the 1966 military coups.
Understanding the political crisis helps identify the structural compromise sought by regional leaders.
2
Examine the governance model agreed upon at Aburi.
Leaders agreed that regions should operate autonomously without central vetoes, creating a de facto confederal system.
Regional delegates, particularly from the Eastern Region, insisted on decentralization as a prerequisite for remaining part of Nigeria.

Key Concept

Aburi Accord and Confederalism vs Federalism in the Pre-Civil War Era
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Topics

The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970)

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