AFRICANS AND THEIR HISTORY

As Nigeria grapples with leadership problems leading to constant usage of the cliche"e go better", National Record peeps into her long journey into egalitarian nationhood and concludes the dancing steps has always been the same.

Tafawa Balewa-His regim was welcome with high hope especially the anti western domination entusias.Along the line,he was accused of ineptitude and was overthrown in a bloody coup that took his life and somany prominent politicians.

NNAMDI AZIKIWE --Fondly referred to as Zik of Africa,he played a greater role in the decolonization struggle and went to jail severally.He was later accused of somany inhuman policies.

AGUYI IRONSI--He was a fine military officer and the most senior of all in the then Nigeria army.He took the realm of power after the coup that ousted the Balewa's regim led by the five majors.Ironsi,who laid the foundation of a unitary system of government was later killed in a revenge coup superintendent by mostly Northern soldiers.His death gave way to the Nigerian civil war.

YAKUBU GOWON-A son of a missionary,he enrolled and rose to the peak of his career in the army and was handed over the baton of power after the death of Ironsi.His ascension to the throne as head of state instead of the then Brigadier Ogundipe and then Colonel Adebayo who were his seniors in rank paved way for rebellion led by then Colonel Chukuemeka Odumege Ojuku,who was governor of Eastern state.Gowon nine years was characterized by the long war.After the war,his administration was accused of ineptitude and was overthrown when he was attending African Union summit in far away Adisababa.

MURTALA MOHAMED -His ascension to power was accompanied by proactive steps that raised alot of hope.He devolved power by creating 12 states but his regim was cut short by the Bukas Suka Dimka's coup which took his life.

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO -A Civil war veteran who received general Phillip Eson's troops in surrender to Nigeria army marking the end of war,he was Mohamed's second in command and took over the mantle of leadership after Mohamed's assassination.He introduced operation feed the nation program for food security and Universal Public Education for compulsory school.He handed power willingly to a democratically elected president but nay sayers argued he rigged the election to his preferred candidate.

SHEHU SHAGARI-A teacher and politician of long standing,he took the mantle of leadership from the military and ruled for four years.His reelection was greeted by somany controversy especially the interpretation of 2/3% queried by Obafemi Awolowo of the Unity Party Of Nigeria.Shagari regim was accused of massive corruption and was overthrown by Mohammadu Buhari who sent all the political actors to jail.

MUHAMMADU BUHARI -He was a GOC in charge of the third armour corp in Jos before his ascension.He waged a war against corruption and indiscipline.His regim was accused of draconic policies which were perceived as anti-people until he was ousted in a palace coup by his subordinates.

To be continued