The Usman Dan Fodio Jihad of 1804 how it affects North-Middle Belt

 The dichotomy between Muslims and non-Muslims, noticed considerably in

the North-Middle Belt relations may be said to have its roots in the Jihad of

1804. Its negative impact on inter-group relations in Nigeria continues to

linger on.  The middle belt region suffered a great  deal  of depopulation occasioned 

by incessant slave raids by the emirates of Sokoto caliphate. 

It is informative to mention here that payment of tributes in 

form of slaves was part of the obligations of the emirs to the caliph. The non-

Muslim people of the middle-belt were in essence under constant attack as

enslavement of fellow Muslims was forbidden. Noticeable depopulation and

displacement became the lot of these peoples. This is said to be responsible

for the uneasy peace that reigns between the North and Middle Belt regions

of Nigeria today

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Chief Festus Sam Okotie-Eboh (1919-1966) was a prominent and most flamboyant Nigerian politician

Critics of Chief Okotie-Eboh aver that he was "a thief and corrupt public officer." Some even described him as a first most corrupt Nigerian minister of state hence why was killed in the first 1966 military takeover. However, evidence shows that the man was very rich before he assumed public office and that he was a "victim of circumstances." How truthful is this of Okotie-  Eboh ?

When Major Nzeogwu was to take his coup in 1966, among those pencilled down to be killed was a Niger-Delta business colossus. Along with Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Belewa, Akintola, chief Okotie-Eboh was killed. Rumours say bullets could not penetrate his skin so they tied him to a car and dragged him. Reports of those who saw his body say he was mangled beyond recognition. It is said that his grave in Okotie-Eboh baptist Church which borders Zik Grammar School is still empty of his remains.


On wealth, they said he was richer than his political party before he became a party wheel horse or minister, that it was the great Zik who chose him to represent the NCNC in the cabinet against the ambitions of men like Sir Ojukwu, incidentally one of Zik’s close friends. They implied he was too wealthy for the corrupting wiles of office. He had built schools and other institutions.

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Awolowo v. Shagari 1979 case

This has to be the world worst election malpractice in the history of democracy where one vote equal 19. Chief Obafemi Awolowo (a lawyer, state man, former minister and former premier, among several attributes to his name and stance) Versus Alhaji Shehu Shagari (an elementary school head teacher) who was unknown to nobody across the country. But given the political atmosphere in Nigeria, it was evident that the president (Olusegun Obasanjo) found it paramount to appease the people of the northern part of the country (where Shehu Shagari was from) by replacing the former assassinated president (Murhitala Mohammad), a northerner whose presidency was short lived by coup plotters, though his lack of proper security detail can be argued contributed immensely to the successful coup that took him out.

Awolowo won the election and this fact affirms that Nigeria as a country was a risk that was validated by the amalgamation of 1914 that merged several tribes into one without their will. These tribes have totally different personalities, cultures, beliefs but the supreme leadership was trusted with a northerner president (Tafawa Balewa) whose participation on the national stage during the fight for independence was insignificant in comparison to several leaders from the west, east and south - the likes of Awolowo, Azikwe to name a few. Not withstanding, the real issue shouldn't have been who the British left power with but how some Nigerians think the decision was not based on merit. This merit wouldn't have been questionable if all the tribes believed, trusted, respected one another and further believed to have the interests of one another. So, this popular grievance was sealed by a government overthrow led by Chukwuma Kaduna Ezeogwu, an easterner military officer.

The court had the opinion that that " Sheu Shagari won two-third of the total votes cast, having polled a total votes of 16.8 millions with 11.9 millions votes ahead of Obafemi Awolowo who polled a total votes of 4.9 millions.
Court membership
Judges sitting
Atanda Fatai Williams
Mohammed Bello
Kayode Eso, Mohammed Uwais
Andrews Otutu Obaseki
Ayo Gabriel Irikefe
Chike Idigbe
Case opinions
Decision by Kayode Eso
Dissent Kayode Eso

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How Nigeria lost Let. Col. Fajuyi and General Aguiyi Ironsi in a rare circumstances

Lt.Col. Adekunle Fajuyi was appointed the military governor of Western Region on 18 January 1966 ,displayed his gallantry and altruism on 29 July 1966. The Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi the incumbent Nigeria  head of state, visited Ibadan to address a conference of traditional rulers.

 At 4 am, soldiers, led by Theophilus Danjuma and Joe Garba, drove into Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, their eyes blood shot, their mustaches twitching malevolently. Their mission was to kidnap and kill Ironsi in a reprisal coup.

As history would record the truth,a wine tapper was watching the hideous drama unfolding in the bush under his palm tree. As the desperate soldiers would make to shoot Ironsi, Fajuyi would rush between them and the victim, his hands spread in a you-cannot-kill-my-guest or boss fashion. He repeated the intervention many times so much that the killers were frustrated and angrily pumped hot bullets into the two hostages. And Fajuyi died a hero, a true friend, great officer and patriot.

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