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Nigeria became independent in 1960. In 1963 it became a republic but remained a member of the British Commonwealth. In 1967 the regions were replaced by states (at first 12, later 19). In 1966, a group of Ibo army murdered the federal prime minister. A group of northern officers installed General Gowon as head of the state. After a year of civil war , the military governor of the eastern region (colonel Ojuvke) proclaimed his region the Republic of Biafra. It collapsed in 1970, and General Gowon was deposed in 1975. For years several attempts were made to restore civilian rule but the unrest was increased by the violence between the Islamic groups and the Christians. Even free elections were allowed with two political parties, but the results showed corruption. Officially Moshood Abiola won the presidental elections but Babandiga annulled it and soon after it handed power over to another military government (1993).

Sanni Abacha became the head of the state in 1993. He reintroduced the military constitution. Abiola returned home and was immediately arrested. Abacha promised a civilian government but meanwhile he arresed and executed a lot of pro-democracy leaders, so the country became excluded from the Commonwealth. Finally, in 1998, Abdulsalam Abubakar became President and the political prisoners were released and the democratic rule was restored.

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12y ago
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8y ago

Religious conflicts between the Muslim and the Christians

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Q: What happened after Nigeria came independent?
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