Shun the unworthy, a piece by Eric Teniola

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This week, we continue the narrative on boycott of elections in Nigeria

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Sir Abubakar immediately confirmed that he would form “a broadly based government” representing all shades of opinion. He said completion of outstanding elections in the Eastern and Mid-Western Regions, as well as in Lagos, arrangements would be made to bring in new ministers and to make a general reassignment of all ministries.

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On January 13, 1965, the ministers in Sir Abubakar’s new government were sworn in by the President. Chief Okotie-Eboh and Dr. Mbadiwe, the two NCNC ministers, were not at the main swearing-in. On January 14, Chief Okotie-Eboh was sworn in. At a press conference, Dr. Mbadiwe said he boycotted the ceremony because he was waiting for his UPGA colleagues to join the government.

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On January 18, 1965, the NCNC announced after a meeting in Enugu that they had “rededicated themselves to the maintenance of democracy in Nigeria” and would give the new federal government “a fair trial”; the meeting, however, was not attended by Chief Theophilus Benson. The Action Group, after a meeting at Ibadan, similarly decided not to defy Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa any further.

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Reactions to the list were immediate. Chief Ladoke Akintola, Premier of Western Region and the leader of the NNDP, the NPC’s ally in the NNA, said that there had been no NNDP ministers in the first list because his party had decided not to release any names “until the whole list had been completed and adequate opportunity given to all the patriotic elements now working to assure the fullest unity of the people of Western Nigeria and Lagos in particular and the Federal Republic in general.”

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On January 6, 1965, Dr. Okpara stated that new elections would be held in the Eastern Region as soon as possible and that, if the UPGA received an invitation to join the Federal Government, it would give it “careful consideration.”

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The following ministers were sworn in on January 7, 1965, by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. They were Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (NNA)—Prime Minister and External Affairs; Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu (NNA)—Defence; Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh (UPGA)—Finance; Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Wada (NNA)—Works and Surveys; Alhaji Zanna Bukar Dipcharima (NNA)—Commerce, Industries and Transport; Alhaji Shehu Shagari (NNA)—Internal Affairs and Communications; Alhaji Yusufu Maitama Sule (NNA)—Mines and Power; Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim (NNA)—Economic Development and Education; Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua (NNA)—Lagos Affairs; Dr. Taslim Olawale Elias (formerly NCNC)—Attorney-General and Justice; Dr. M. A. Majekodunmi (no party affiliation)—Health and Information; Chief J. C. Obande (NNA)—Establishments and Labour; and Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe (UPGA)—Aviation.

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Others were Alhaji Nuhu Bamali (NNA), Alhaji Usman Maitambari (NNA), Alhaji Hashim Adaji (NNA) and Alhaji Ibrahim Tako (NNA)—all ministers of state.

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The boycott of the 1964 election was averted because of the personal intervention of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the then president, and because the politicians knew the futility of the boycott.

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My advice to the opposition parties is not to boycott. Choosing to sit out is almost always a losing proposition. Threaten, but participate.

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Concluded

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Eric Teniola, a former director at the Presidency wrote from Lagos.

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