The Daily Times, March 24, 1965
The front page of the Daily Times dated March 24, 1965, captures a defining moment in Nigeria’s First Republic, a period marked by intense political rivalry, regional suspicion, and constitutional strain. The bold headline — “ZIK SEEKS ONE-MAN RULE, SAY THE NPC” — reflects the deepening mistrust between Nigeria’s major political blocs just months before the collapse of civilian rule.
Understanding the Headline
The headline refers to Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, popularly known as “Zik”, Nigeria’s first President (1963–1966) and a leading nationalist figure. The accusation was made by the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), the dominant political party in Northern Nigeria during the First Republic.
At the time, Azikiwe was not an executive president but a ceremonial Head of State, following Nigeria’s adoption of a republican constitution in 1963. Executive power rested largely with the Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who was himself a leading figure within the NPC.
The allegation of seeking “one-man rule” must therefore be understood less as a literal claim and more as a political weapon, deployed amid growing constitutional disputes and power struggles.
Political Context: Nigeria in 1965
By 1965, Nigeria’s political environment had become deeply polarised:
The NPC dominated the federal government.
The National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), associated with Azikiwe, drew much of its support from the Eastern Region.
The Action Group (AG) was fractured following internal crises and prosecutions.
Accusations of authoritarian ambition, ethnic bias, and electoral manipulation were common. Newspapers often served as battlegrounds for political messaging, amplifying partisan narratives to a national audience.
Other Front-Page Headlines
The same Daily Times edition carried other politically charged stories, including:
“Ibiam talks of victimisation” — referring to Dr Francis Akanu Ibiam, former Governor of the Eastern Region, who frequently criticised federal actions as discriminatory against Easterners.
“Aman replies to Dr Azikiwe’s article” — highlighting ongoing public exchanges between political elites through opinion pieces and rebuttals in the press.
Together, these headlines underscore how public discourse had become confrontational, with newspapers acting as primary platforms for elite disagreement.
The Role of the Daily Times
Founded in 1925, the Daily Times was Nigeria’s most influential newspaper during the colonial and early post-independence periods. By the 1960s, it had become a national paper of record, widely read by politicians, civil servants, and the educated public.
Its front pages provide invaluable insight into:
Political rhetoric of the First Republic
Media framing of constitutional disputes
The escalation of regional and ideological tensions
Historical Significance
The accusations levelled against Azikiwe in March 1965 must be viewed as part of the final phase of civilian politics before the January 1966 military coup. Within ten months of this publication, Nigeria’s First Republic would collapse, ushering in decades of military rule.
The newspaper headline stands today as a document of democratic fragility, revealing how mistrust, politicised media narratives, and unresolved regional tensions undermined Nigeria’s early experiment with self-rule.
The March 24, 1965 Daily Times front page is more than a newspaper headline; it is a historical artifact that encapsulates the atmosphere of suspicion and rivalry that defined Nigeria’s First Republic. It reminds us that the road to political stability is shaped not only by constitutions and elections, but also by how power is contested, portrayed, and perceived in the public sphere.
Source
Daily Times (Nigeria), March 24, 1965
Nigerian First Republic political records
Historical analyses of Nigerian press and politics, 1960–1966
Post a Comment