Death In Nigeria

The astonishing thing about the Nigerian military coup is not that it should have happened, but that it should not have happened until 1966, rather less than six years after the flag of independence was run up over this giant among African nations. It was the personality and statesmanship of Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa that held together this Federation of what are in effect four separate and largely hostile nations. Sir Abubakar was shot down, flung into a ditch, fished out again and given a decent funeral. With him went the form of parliamentary democracy bequeathed by the British, in which he was a genuine believer. Neither is likely to be resurrected. The question is, will the Federation itself survive?

Assassination is, of course, an occupational hazard of most politicians; but this was neither the random act of a screwball, nor the planned act of the “outs” seizing power from the “ins.” It was an act of racialism.

EH

About the Author

Elspeth Huxley

Featured Tags

The astonishing thing about the Nigerian military coup is not that it should have happened, but that it should not have happened until 1966, rather less than six years after the flag of independence was run up over this giant among African nations. It was the personality and statesmanship of Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa that held together this Federation of what are in effect four separate and largely hostile nations. Sir Abubakar was shot down, flung into a ditch, fished out again and given a decent funeral. With him went the form of parliamentary democracy bequeathed by the British, in which he was a genuine believer. Neither is likely to be resurrected. The question is, will the Federation itself survive?

Assassination is, of course, an occupational hazard of most politicians; but this was neither the random act of a screwball, nor the planned act of the “outs” seizing power from the “ins.” It was an act of racialism.