The Benin EmpireLong before colonial rule, the peoples of Nigeria had established their own indigenous system of government. The various ethnic groups in Nigeria had different patterns of government. The Hausa-Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba in particular had each established political systems that were distinct.
Evidence of contact between the peoples on the northern part of Africa and Nigerians can be found in the legends of some ethnic groups. The Hausas, for example, 'have a legend which traces their ancestry to migrants from the Far-east. So also does a Yoruba legend. One can assume that as the Sahara began to desiccate, some of the groups who lived in what was changing into an inhospitable region moved out. The few who probably moved south into what became Nigeria would in turn displace those already living there, forcing the latter to repeat the process elsewhere.
The Benin EmpireThe emergence of the Benin Empire goes back to prehistoric times. There were close links between the rulers of Benin and Yoruba Empires the Edos (as the Benin are known) were however distinct in their own ideas. History has it that the political systems which were monarchial were already well established before the fourteenth century. By the fifteenth century, Benin had become an important power in the region. The artists of Benin celebrated the power and authority of their rulers, Thus, they developed a special style of royal sculpture that was different from the more popular styles. In addition to producing many fine heads and figurines, the royal artists also designed and made many hundreds of brass plaques, or large rectangular pictures in metal, which were used to decorate the Oba's palace. Many of these fine old sculptures, whether in the royal style or in the other styles, have survived and have become famous throughout the world. The sculpture of benin was mainly in brass. The symbol used for FESTAC'77, a Benin Bronze Head is a masterpiece of high quality. By the middle of the sixteenth century, the Oba of Benin ruled over an area which spread from the region of modern Lagos to the Niger Delta. Benin Empire soon became the largest of the political systems of the Guinea Coast.
Kanem-Borno EmpireContact with the northern part of the African continent was a major factor that contributed to the size of the KanemBorno Empire and the Hausa States. Kanern-Borno was the earliest empire that came clearly into the light of history within the region. It was well placed geographically to receive ideas and probably settlers from the north. Its location around the great Lake Chad, situated at tbe extreme northeast of Nigeria, enabled the inhabitants to prosper from fishing and agriculture. Furthermore, its position at the southern terminus of an ancient and most important trade route extending through the Fezzan and the oasis of Kawan to Cairo and the Middle east, fostered a thriving exchange of goods which stimulated economic growth, leading to the emergence of the Kanem-Bono Empire. This development paralleled similar developments to the far west of Western Sudan where the Ghana Empire emerged about the same time.
Hausa StatesTo the West of the Kanem Borrio empire, were Hausa states. The Hausa legend of a common origin also idenifies seven of the state - Biramo, Daura, Gobir, Kano, Katsina, Rano and Zauzau - as the oldest, while another seven - Gwari, Yoruba, Kebbi, Kororofa, Zamfara, Nupe and Yauri - are regraded as relatively more recent. The Hausa states were not united until the opening years of the 19th century, although in the 16th century the borders of the Songhai Empire extended to some of the western states. Nevertheless, their geographical position enabled them to thrive and prosper, for they were able to exploit the agricultural potentials of the northern region and to carry on a vigorous, trade with caravans from across the Sahara as well as with the people of Southern Nigeria.
Yoruba KingdomsLike the hausa states, the Yorubas of southwestern Nigeria were organized into independent kingdoms. Although they had traditions of origin that attempted to explain their common, language, culture and political institutions from their descent through a single ancestry, Oduduwa. The Yoruba were never united under a single political authority. During the 17th century, one of the kingdoms, Oyo, began to gain influence and importance. By the 18th century it had overshadowed the other Yoruba kingdoms and absorbed some of them. Even then, at the height of its power the Oyo empire never incorporated the whole of Yoruba land. However, one of the most important unifying elements in Yoruba history is the role of Ile-Ife which is regarded by the people as their spiritual capital.
The Igbo Political SystemThough the eastern part of the country was viwed as the provinces of the Igbo and the lbibio, it contained a variety of other groups such as the Efik, the Ijaw, and others. Thevillage was the largest unit of government. The kindred (a group of families held together mainly in their descent from a common ancestor) was the all-important social unit. Though each small village had its own myths and beliefs, all the Igbo groups had a sense of cultural unity.
To a large extent, government in Igboland was an exercise in direct democracy- It involved participation.by all the male adults. Leadership was provided by men and women who had risen in their communities and had developed their influence. The village assembly was the supreme body and at the regular assembly meetings, matters of public interest were thrown open or discussion Consensus were usually adopted by elders. As a result, the Igbo traditional system was regarded as republi can and not hierarchically graded,
Pre-Independence NigeriaThe political entity known as Nigeria came into existence in 1914 with the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern British Protectorates and was presided over by a Governor-General. For administrative convenience, the country was divided into four units; the Colony of Lagos, the Northern, Eastern and Western provinces
The history of Nigeria from the early 1920s is, in a sense, the history of movement towards independence. In 1922, the Clifford Constitution conceded for the first time the elective principle in the Legislative Council. In 1946, the Richardson Constitution provided a federal framework dividing the country into three regions with regional assemblies and a Central House of Representatives. It also widened the franchise and elective principle to include most Nigerians. In 1951, the constitution was revised under Governor Macpherson to provide for representative government. Regional self-government was attamed by both Eastern and Western Nigeria in 1957 while the Northern region attained the same status in 1959.
Nigeria since IndependenceNigeria gained independence from British role on October 1, 1960. Three years later, on October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a Republic thus breaking all ties with the British Crown only to retain her status as member of the Commonwealth. The first President of the then young nation was Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe while the first Prime Minister was Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. On January 15, 1966, some members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria toppled the Civilian Government in a miliary putsch. Major-general J.T.U. Aguiyi Ironsi emerged the Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. His administration introduced some fundamental changes to the federal structure of government. Such changes include: the suspension of some portions of the Federal Constitution, the appointment of military governors for the four regions, and the initiation of the unitary system of government in Nigeria through the promulgation of Decree 34 of 1966. However, the military government of Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon which came into power in a counter coup of July 29, 1966, reinstated the federal structure of government by repealing Decree 34 of 1966. On May 27, 1967, Lt. Col. Gowon created 12 states from the former four regions, namely: Lagos, Mid-Western, East Central, Rivers, South Eastern, Benue-Plateau. North Eastern, North-Western, Kwara, Western, North Central and Kano.
On May 30, 1967 following nationwide disturbances, the government of the then Eastern region, headed by Lt. Col. Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, broke away from the Federal Republic of Nigeria by declaring the Eastern Region of Nigeria the Republic ofBiafra. The Federal Government declared this move a rebellion and decided to nullify it. This led to the 30 months civil war which ended in victory for the Federal Government on January 12, 1970.
General Gowon's government was toppled in another military coop on July 29, 1975 by General Murtala Muhammed. General Muhammed carried out sweeping political reforms which brought about the creation of seven additional states, increasing the total number of states in 1976 to 19. His government also introduced apolitical programme aimed at returning the country to civil rule in 1979.
Following the unsuccessful coup of February 13, 1976, in which General Muhammed lost his life. General Olusegun Obasanjo became the Head of State and pledged to implement the programmes of his predecessor. Obasanjo's administration handed over power to a democratically elected civilian government led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who became the first Executive President of Nigeria on October 1, 1979.
After four years of civil rule, the Military stepped in again on December 31, 1983, when Major-General Muhammadu Buhari took over the reigns of state. Major General Babangida became the military president through another coup on August 27, 1985.
The Babangida administration started by creating two more states, Akwa-lbom and Katsina in 1987, and another nine state - Abia, Delta, Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun, Taraba and Yobe on August 27, 1991. The administration embarked on a transition programme of handing over power to a democratically elected civilian government in 1993. Two political parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC) were later established. The Presidential election which followed was annulled.
The Babangida administration ended on August 26, 1993 when the President stepped aside for an Interim National Government (ING), headed by Chief Ernest, Shonekan. After the resignation of Chief Shonekan, General Sani Abacha then became the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on November 17, 1993.
This regime convened a National Constitutional Conference to review the Constitution with the aim of setting up a permanent democratic structure for the country. It appointed Military Administrators to head the thirty states of the federation on December 8, 1993. The Government received the report of the National Constitutional Conference on June 27, 1995. In October 1995, the Head of State made a broadcast in which he listed out the programme on the return to democracy. Under this programme, the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) conducted Local government Election on non party basis in 1995. It later registered five political parties under which it conducted National Assembly Election in 1998. The parties were:
The United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP)
On October 1, 1996, six states were added to the existing thirty states bringing the total number of states to thirty six (36). The new states are: Bayelsa. Ebonyi, Ekiti, Nassarawa, Gombe and Zarnfara. Also 183 local government areas were created.
The administration established the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF). This was sequel to the approval of new pricing for petroleum products in 1994. The function of the Fund was to manage all monies accruing as a result of the new pricing and to ensure their use in the execution of projects that are of benefit to the people e.g. road Construction/Rehabilitation; education, drugs, food supply etc.
On November 27, 1996, the Abacha administration inaugurated the vision 2010 Committee to conduct a study and draw up a long-term programme for the successful harnessing and control of the country's resources.
The government of General Sani Abacha which was dogged by crises arising from the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential elections came to an end following his death on the 8th of June, 1998.
General Abdulsalam Abubakar was appointed by the Provisional Ruling Council as Head of State on the 12th of June 1998.
On coming to power. General Abubakar took urgent steps to diffuse the tension which had characterised the later years of General Abacha's rule. These steps included improving the human rights records of the country through the release of prominent political prisoners and some convicted of coup-plotting. The steps also included the reconciliation of the country with the international community, and the promise to return the country to democratic rule on May 29, 1999
In order to facilitate the return to democratic rule, General Abubakar established the I ndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register political parties and organise elections that would usher in a democratic dispensation.
In October 1998, the Independent National Electoral Commission provisionally registered nine political associations to contest the December 1998 LGA elections. At the conclusion of the exercise only the following political Associations were registered as political parties,these are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the All Peoples Party (APP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Elections conducted under the platform of these parties include the Govemorship and State Houses of Assembly elections in January 1999. The National Assembly and Presidential elections were held in February 1999 after which Retired General Olusegun Obasanjo was declared winner of the presidential election. He is expected to assume power by May 29, 1999.