A major event in Nigerian history that led to the suspension of Nigeria's constitution and the declaration of a state of emergency by the colonial authoriti...
A major event in Nigerian history that led to the suspension of Nigeria's constitution and the declaration of a state of emergency by the colonial authorities in 1953 was the ________.
Answer Details
A major event in Nigerian history that led to the suspension of Nigeria's constitution and the declaration of a state of emergency by the colonial authorities in 1953 was the Action Group Crisis.
The Action Group Crisis refers to a period of political turmoil and infighting within the Action Group party, one of the leading political parties in Nigeria at that time. The Action Group was founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and played a significant role in the struggle for Nigerian independence.
However, in 1953, internal divisions and power struggles within the party reached a boiling point. There were disagreements between Chief Awolowo, the leader of the party, and Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the deputy leader, over control of the party and its direction.
These disagreements led to violent clashes between supporters of Awolowo and Akintola, resulting in widespread unrest and chaos in the western region of Nigeria where the Action Group was primarily based.
The colonial authorities, alarmed by the escalating violence and the potential threat to law and order, decided to intervene. They suspended Nigeria's constitution and declared a state of emergency in order to restore peace and stability.
The declaration of a state of emergency meant that the colonial authorities took direct control of the administration of the western region, temporarily removing the powers of the elected officials.
This major event in Nigerian history had far-reaching consequences. It escalated tensions between different political and ethnic groups in the country, and ultimately had a negative impact on the progress towards independence.
Overall, the Action Group Crisis in 1953 was a significant event that led to the suspension of Nigeria's constitution and the declaration of a state of emergency by the colonial authorities, as they sought to restore peace and stability amidst political turmoil and violence.