Nigerian election 1965 - SS3 Government Lesson Note

The Nigerian election of 1965 was a highly controversial event that was marred by irregularities, violence, and fraud. The crisis arose due to widespread allegations of electoral malpractices, voter intimidation, and ballot-box snatching during the election process. This led to a lack of confidence in the election results, with many political parties and individuals disputing the outcome.

The crisis was also fueled by the deep-seated ethnic and regional tensions that existed in Nigeria at the time. The Northern region felt that it was being marginalized and disadvantaged by the electoral process and election results, leading to protests and demonstrations.

The crisis ultimately led to a state of emergency being declared, and the postponement of the general election scheduled for 1966. This was followed by a series of coups, counter-coups, and political instability, which further deepened the crisis in Nigeria.

The aftermath of the electoral crisis led to a major political realignment, with the military taking control of the government, and the suspension of the constitution. This marked the beginning of a period of military rule in Nigeria, which lasted for many years.