Date: December 1, 1964.
The National Parliamentary Election of December 1, 1964, was Nigeria’s first general election after gaining independence in 1960. It was conducted to elect members of the House of Representatives and was marked by political tensions, regional rivalries, and allegations of electoral irregularities.
The Nigerian National Alliance (NNA), a coalition led by the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), allied with the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), which had control of the Western Region. Also, the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA), led by the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), allied with the Action Group (AG) and other opposition groups.
The election was marred by boycotts, violence, and allegations of vote-rigging, particularly in the Western and Eastern regions. UPGA accused the government of electoral malpractice and boycotted the elections in some regions.
The NNA claimed victory, securing a majority in the House of Representatives. However, the election was widely disputed, leading to a political crisis. A compromise was eventually reached, and President Nnamdi Azikiwe allowed the NPC-led government under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to continue.
The crisis deepened existing political tensions and contributed to the instability that led to Nigeria’s first military coup on January 15, 1966.
This election was a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s early democratic history, highlighting the fragility of the First Republic and setting the stage for subsequent military interventions.
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