2023 Nigeria General Election: A Comprehensive Overview of the Two Half-Nigeria States

Nigeria is currently a two-halves nation. The country is politically divided into two halves: the South and the North. While one half remains largely Christian and predominantly Igbo-speaking, the other half is home to a majority of Muslims and their main language is Hausa. This political fragmentation has its roots in colonial times when the British administrators segregated Northern Nigeria from Southern Nigeria after assuming control of both parts independently in 1902 (for details, see ‘A brief history of Nigeria’). This piece analyses the historical background, contemporary dynamics, and future projections regarding politics in Nigeria.

Brief History of Nigeria

Nigeria officially became two nations in 1963. British rulers divided the territory into Southern and Northern protectorates in 1901 and accepted the Igbo (Easterners) demand for independence in 1960. The Northern region, dominated by Hausa-Fulani Muslims, wanted to secede but British rulers refused to let go. The Northerners rebelled and the British army, sent to suppress the revolt, killed thousands of people, most of whom were Muslims. The Northerners, once they got control of the region, took revenge by killing Igbo residents and destroying their property. Thousands of Igbo people fled their homes and villages and resettled in the South. The new Nigerian nation was born out of a deep sense of injustice and endures because of the oil money that flows into the federal government.

Why is Nigeria politically divided?

The political division of Nigeria into two halves is largely due to the colonial legacy of British rule. When the British came to Nigeria, they occupied only the Southern part of the country. The Northern part of the country remained under the control of the Sokoto Caliphate. However, after a few years, the British decided to take over the Northern part of the country as well. When the British came to Northern Nigeria, they put the people living in Sokoto Caliphate under a colonial rule called indirect rule. Besides the Sokoto Caliphate, the British also extended their rule over the Hausa-Fulani Muslims of Northern Nigeria. The British employed Hausa-Fulani chiefs who were already in power there to continue ruling the people.

Contemporary Dynamics in Nigerian Politics

The Nigerian political landscape has been dominated by ethnoreligious issues in recent times. The opposing ethnoreligious groups currently dominating Nigerian politics are the Christian South and the Muslim North. The South is dominated by the Christian Igbo-speaking people, and the north is home to Muslim Berbers, Hausa, and Fulani (from the Sokoto Caliphate). The ethno-religious differences also extend to other parts of the country. The Ijaw, Igbo, Yoruba, and other smaller ethnic groups are found in the South, and the Kanuri, Hausa, Fulani, and other minor ethnic groups are found in the North. The political dynamics in Nigeria are largely influenced by the ethnoreligious sentiments of the two halves. The two halves of Nigeria have a history of political instability and military rule since the British left the country.

Recent Developments in Nigerian Politics

Nigeria’s political landscape has been marked by tremendous instability since its independence in 1960. The country has been under the rule of various military and civilian administrations. In January 1966, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi overthrew the government of Aguiyi-Ironsi, the first Nigerian military ruler, and declared Nigeria to be a republic. He was assassinated in July 1966 and was succeeded by Colonel Yakubu Gowon. Gowon’s administration was overthrown by a group of junior officers who established the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). In July 1975, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed overthrew the SCAF, dissolved the Supreme Military Council, and established a revolutionary government. Muhammed was assassinated in February 1976 and was succeeded by General Olusigine Abubakar. Abubakar, who had himself been overthrown in July 1975, was again overthrown in November 1976 by General Gowon.

Overview

Gowon was overthrown by General Muhammed in July 1975, Muhammed was assassinated in February 1976, Abubakar was overthrown in November 1976 and Gowon was again proclaimed head of state in July 1975, and again in August 1979. In October 1979, General Muhammed was again proclaimed head of state by a group of army officers and once again, General Gowon was overthrown. In August 1983, Muhammed was assassinated and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida took over as head of state. Babangida was overthrown in August 1985 and was succeeded by General Muhammadu Buhari, who held power till he lost the June 12 elections in 2019.

The Political Landscape of the South

The political landscape of the South can be primarily attributed to the country’s first military dictator, General Muhammadu Buhari, and his rise to power. Buhari assumed power in 1983 and was the most powerful man in the country till his overthrow in 1985. After his overthrow, Buhari went into exile and never came back to the country. He was deported from the United Kingdom (UK) and later settled in Saudi Arabia. Buhari’s rise to power did not happen overnight. While he was still the Chief of Army Staff, he was accused of staging a coup against General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who was the then head of state. Buhari denied the allegation, and the case did not progress beyond that level. Buhari contested and won the presidential election in the country’s first-ever multiparty presidential elections in the country. The elections were peaceful and democratic. Buhari, who was a major political force in the country, was overthrown in a military coup in August 1985. He was replaced by General Babangida, who was a major political force as well.

The Political Landscape of the North

The political landscape of the North has been characterized by a political tussle between the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the United Peoples Party (UPP) since Nigeria’s attainment of independence. This continued even after the end of military rule in 1999. The system of governance in the North is largely based on the principles of federalism. Before the rise of Buhari, there were two major political parties in the North: ANPP and UPP. ANPP was mainly led by northern politicians and represented the interests of the Muslim population of the North. UPP was mainly led by southern politicians and represented the interests of the Christian population of the South. The rise of Buhari led to the formation of yet another major political party in the North. Buhari is the founder and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Buhari’s emergence as a major political force in the North created a three-party system in the region.

The Landscape of the North and South

Buhari’s rise to power created a major political force in the country’s second-largest political party APC. The party has always remained a dominant party in the North and the South. In the South, the party has been mainly dominated by Buhari, who is a Southern politician. In the North, the party has been dominated by Buhari’s deputy, General Muhammadu Sambo, who was a Northern politician. The emergence of Sambo as a major political force created a balance of power between the two major political parties in the North and South. The APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been major political forces in the country, irrespective of the region.