The slogan “which way Nigeria at 60” which way do you go, despite the influence of oil era, Nigeria is still slumping to zero non-egalitarian society traumatized by religious fanatics, Boko haram insurgency war agitation for Biafra, and of recent Oduduwa republic, all indication of a polarised Nigeria.
The slogan by Late Sunny Okosun a Bendelite musician was launched to preach the gospel to our leaders on the situation as at Nigeria at 40. But suffice to say that the leaders out of crazy for weak and power usurpation whimsically took to the inglorious path of not reading the handwriting on the wall.
Nigeria’s march for greatness started with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahadu Bello, Michael Okpara, Okotiebo, Herbert Macaulay among others. They are the heros who fought to get independence from British Colonial Masters.
The pioneer independence heroes left a legacy that successive leaders after the demise of the first Republic failed to keep alive instead Nigeria was engulfed in social malady such as hatred, bitterness, nepo
tism, corruption, favouritism, unparallel in the move to arrive at a cross-road, and which inevitably brought us to this present predicament in the national history. Failure of our leaders on good governance culminated in the Nigeria – Biafra war from 1967-1970.
General Yakubu Gowon took control of the nation at from 1966-1975, but could not satisfy the yearnings of the military, and a revolution led by Brigadier Murtala Mohammed and Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo took over the powers of the central scene. It was a revolution unrival in the approach and within six months of rule; another\
ountercoup came and Gen. Gowon was ousted in a non-bloody coup and Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed took over. It was a revolution, and Nigerians were short-lived for six months, but the memory lives long in us, as rice, meets were in greater supply to the people, price control was introduced and a new lease of life comes to effect. But the Ramat Revolution was betrayed by dark forces that ended his glorious reign 13th February 1976.
The second Republic 1979-1983 was short-lived following a military coup led by Mayor-Gen Mohammadu Buhari and his Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters Late Major Gen. Tunde Idiagban, who introduced WAI Brigade-war against indiscipline. This government was ousted in 1985 Major General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. His government was famous to settling disputes among Nigerians and finding solutions to the economy.
Babangida’s government led to third Republic. His annulment of the June 12 1993 presidential election, won by MKO Abiola was a disaster in the political development of Nigeria.
He paved the way for General Sani Abacha as head of State and the man that shade light to the six geo-political six zones, North Central, North East, North West, South East, South West and South-South. His government was tagged looters of treasury and today about $4b-$5b was siphoned to foreign banks by Abacha government. Nigeria we found ourselves in this economic blunder coupled with corruption, nepotism and feudalism. Abacha’s sudden death paved way for Gen Abdusalam Abubarkar took over with a promise to hand over power within one year.
Once more, luck brought back General Olusegun Obasanjo to democratic governance; he was elected and sworn in as Executive President of the federal republic of Nigeria in May 1999, under the banner of People Democratic Party (PDP). Obasanjo government was able to control the debts burdens, our external reserves were boasted.
He was succeeded by Musa Yar’Adua but his government was short-lived as he died of heart problems and His Vice President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan stepped into the presidential seat of power for six years until the change in battle of leadership on May 29, 2015.
Goodluck Jonathan convened 2014 National Conference and its report that gave hope for a new Nigeria is yet to reach the National Assembly.
Major-General Mohammed Buhari elected as President under APC-Alliance for progressives Congress came with determination to control the economy. He is a crusader against corruption which had eaten the fabrics system of the government. The EFCC (Economic Financial Crime Commission) introduced by President Olusegun Obasanjo at curbing the excess of politicians was backed up by Buhari government.
Buhari government was known to be friend of the Chinese product and he brought china to improve electric power generation system, rehabilitation of railway from Abuja to Kadu