Power Politics, Emergency Rule in the Western Region and The Fall of Nigeria’s First Republic

This work is an attempt to explore the historical relationship between the way politics was played out in Nigeria’s First Republic, emergency rule in the Western Region, and the eventual collapse of Nigeria’s first civilian government. It covers a vital period in Nigerian history, from 1960 to 1966. Nigeria attained independence from Britain in October 1 1960. By January 15 1966, the military intervened in a military coup d’état essentially due to the fact that Nigerian politicians refused to play by the rules. The attitude of winning at all costs undermined the finest ethos of democracy, breached the federal system, and turned politics into undeclared but open war. A coalition of these political abnormalities had produced the forces that made emergency rule in the Western Region an attractive option. That proved quite disruptive for a system meant to run on rules. The emergency was expected to help address the crisis in the Western Region. However, it multiplied the crisis and produced forces that pulled down the system. It is part of the work’s conclusion that the recourse to foul means by politicians played a role in the military's incursion into Nigerian politics and the challenges currently confronting Nigeria.