Nigerian First Republic

Nigeria gained independence in October 1960 and became a republic in 1963. The First Republic combined a federal constitution with powerful regional governments and political parties rooted in different territorial and ethnic constituencies.

Coalition bargaining, disputed censuses, patronage, electoral violence and the Western Region crisis progressively weakened public confidence. In January 1966 military officers overthrew the civilian government, ending the republic and beginning a cycle of coups and military rule.

A Man of the People is set in a fictional state but closely reflects this political environment. Its satire of ministerial corruption, patronage and electoral intimidation was published immediately before Nigeria’s first military coup.