Word: nigerias
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...latest economic and political crises compounded Nigeria's more chronic problems, which include a notorious degree of corruption-known locally as "dash"-among military and government officials. As one Nigerian newspaper editor recently observed, "If original sin goes back to the Garden of Eden, then Adam must have been a Nigerian." Although Gowon is considered irreproachably honest, he was unable to control the widespread graft that helped prevent equitable distribution of the nation's oil wealth ($8 billion for 1974) to most of the 79 million Nigerians, who must still survive on an average per capita income...
...inheritor of these problems as Nigeria's new head of state is Brigadier Muritala Rufai Mohammed, 38, formerly Minister of Communications and architect of the 1966 coup that brought Gowon to power. Mohammed, who earned a reputation as the army's most brutally efficient commander during the Biafran war, is expected to govern in a more decisive-and possibly less humane-manner than Gowon. He has already cleaned house thoroughly, sacking all army commanders and their top aides, all Cabinet members and all the provincial governors of Nigeria's twelve states...
There are no serious ideological differences between Gowon and Mohammed; both are defenders of African nationalism and free enterprise. But there are tribal differences. Gowon is a Christian northerner from the relatively small Anga tribe. Nigeria's new leader is a Hausa Moslem with strong tribal loyalties-a factor that led Gowon to regard Mohammed as a threat to his own Lincolnesque policy of "national conciliation" after the Biafran civil war. The least sign of regional or tribal chauvinism on Mohammed's part might well lead to countercoup or renewed civil war. Foreign diplomats in Nigeria also fear...
Full Pension. Announcing his assumption of office, Mohammed was strongly critical of Gowon, charging that under him "the affairs of state became characterized by lack of consultation, indiscipline and even neglect." Mohammed, though, was not vengeful. He said that Gowon would be welcome to return to Nigeria "as soon as conditions are such that his security can be guaranteed." The ousted leader, moreover, would be awarded a "full pension befitting his rank...
Ultimately, only 19 of the 46 OAU heads of state turned up at Kampala. Three nations-Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana-boycotted the assemblage to protest Big Daddy's presence in the chair, and 24 others sent lesser delegations. The unexpected overthrow of Nigeria's Yakubu Gowon at mid-meeting cast another pall. Four participants -Congo's Marien Ngouabi, Gabon's Omar Bongo, Cameroon's Ahmadou Ahidjo and Niger's Seyni Kountché -quickly lit out for home. "Maybe they're not exactly afraid," commented one Arab delegate. "Just prudent...