In May 1966, Nigeria’s military government, led by Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, introduced Decree No. 34, formally titled The Constitution (Suspension and Modification) Decree. The decree suspended the federal structure inherited from the First Republic and replaced it with a unitary system of government. It centralised authority in Lagos and fundamentally altered the balance of power between Nigeria’s regions.
The policy was presented as a measure to streamline governance and reduce administrative inefficiencies following the January 1966 military coup, which had toppled the First Republic and resulted in the deaths of key political leaders. The decree sought to unify the civil service and consolidate legislative and executive powers under the central military government.
Key Provisions of the Decree
Decree No. 34 introduced several major changes:
- The abolition of the federal system
- Replacement of regions with groups of provinces
- Centralisation of legislative and executive authority
- Subordination of regional administrations to the federal government
- Unification of the civil service to ensure consistent administration across the country
The military government framed the decree as an administrative reform aimed at national unity and efficiency, but the abrupt removal of regional autonomy provoked widespread concern.
Regional Reactions and Political Tensions
Federalism had long served as a mechanism for balancing Nigeria’s ethnic and regional diversity. Its sudden abolition generated anxiety, particularly in the Northern Region, which had previously held substantial influence. The decree was interpreted by many political leaders and military officers as a major shift in the post-independence political settlement.
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These concerns were compounded by lingering resentment from the January coup, which was widely perceived in the North as having disproportionately affected Northern political and military figures. Many believed that unresolved grievances from the coup made the decree’s centralisation of power a potential threat to regional interests.
Impact Within the Military
Within the armed forces, Decree No. 34 contributed to growing dissatisfaction. Many officers had viewed the military intervention in January as a temporary corrective measure rather than a permanent restructuring of governance. The decree heightened tensions by concentrating authority in the hands of a few senior officers and reshaping the military’s relationship with the regions.
While there is no historical record that the decree was intended to favour any particular ethnic group, perceptions of imbalance and exclusion were widespread and influenced the military’s cohesion. These factors played a significant role in the July 1966 counter-coup.
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From Reform to Crisis
By July 1966, opposition to the unitary system had become entrenched. Public criticism and military dissatisfaction converged, culminating in a counter-coup that resulted in the assassination of Aguiyi-Ironsi. The unitary experiment was subsequently abandoned, and federal structures were reinstated by later military administrations, though in modified forms.
Decree No. 34 illustrates how administrative reforms, when introduced abruptly in a divided society, can exacerbate political tensions rather than resolve them. It stands as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s post-independence history, highlighting the fragility of national unity during periods of rapid political change.
Author’s Note
Decree No. 34 was a major turning point in Nigeria’s history. Introduced by General Aguiyi-Ironsi in May 1966, it abolished federalism, replaced regions with provinces, and centralised power in Lagos. While intended as a reform to improve governance and national cohesion after the January coup, the decree sparked widespread regional concern and military dissatisfaction. These tensions contributed directly to the July 1966 counter-coup, which led to Ironsi’s assassination and the restoration of federal structures under subsequent military governments. The decree’s legacy underscores the importance of inclusive political processes in divided societies and serves as a reminder of the risks of abrupt constitutional centralisation.
References
Siollun, M. Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria’s Military Coup Culture (1966–1976)
Falola, T. The History of Nigeria
Madiebo, A. A. The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War
