Adefatima:
Why was Eyo ita sacked from power

WHAT HAPPENED TO:
PROFESSOR EYO ITA
LEADER EASTERN REGION

After Nigeria's independence, Azikiwe was Governor-General (1960-1963) and President (1963-1966). In 1966, a military coup ended Azikiwe's term as president, and the NCNC dissolved in the following turmoil. The NCNC was accused by its adversaries of focusing overly on the interests of the Igbo population.

Having been ousted by Awolowo from becoming the first Premier of the Western Region in the famous carpet-crossing saga (of 1952), Azikiwe went to the East and ousted Eyo Ita …

The bitterness generated by that single stroke of political injustice was at the root of the attitude of the Eastern minorities in the bloody disputes of 1966- … the first blame must rest squarely on Azikiwe …”. Aladinma went further to apologise “on behalf of our fathers to the people of the Niger-Delta for that wrongdoing that ruined the brotherly relationship we had from time immemorial”

Now to the matter of Azikiwe - Eyo Ita face-off:On the eve of the 1951 elections in which Azikiwe contested for a seat in the Western House of Assembly from his Lagos base, Zik declared that he was not going to accept a ministerial post in “an inferior legislature of the colonial type”.

In other words, he was not prepared to serve as minister (premier or prime-minister) at regional or national level in the then premature Nigerian political system. His object, he said, was to achieve an NCNC majority in the regional and central legislatures that would act to “paralyse the machinery of government” and lead to a reformation of the Constitution.The Macpherson Constitution had provided for “semi-responsible government” at the centre and in the regions.

The official phrase was “responsible government within defined limits”. Zik did not accept this. He wanted total independence. This was what informed his declaration above. It was a grand tactics for national independence that the Action Group later imbibed.

After the upheavals in the Western House of Assembly,Zik began to rally his partymen to the achievement of the above-stated objectives. This took some time. Eventually, however, the NCNC resolved and called its central ministers to resign in order to actualise the above independence strategy.

But these ministers were now enjoying their new stations in life, the perquisites of ministerial office. Some of them did not, therefore, want to give up the positions. In so doing, they were undoubtedly sabotaging and delaying the independence struggle that had already got them to where they were.

Three NCNC central (national) ministers were the first culprits and were summarily dismissed from the party. They were A.C.Nwapa (Igbo), EniNjoku (Igbo) and Okoi Arikpo(Ogoja).

ONLY Dr Endeley (Cameroun) was supportive of the tactics.Eyo Ita, the Head of Government Business in Eastern Nigeria and some of his ministers kicked against the policy and were flabbergasted when the central ministers were dismissed by the party. Of course, when the party asked them to resign, they equally rebelled against the party and refused to comply. They became known as ‘sit-tight ministers’.

Amongst them were Eyo Ita (Ibibio),E.I.Oli (Igbo), S.J.Una (Ogoja), R.I.Uzoma (Igbo), S.W.Ubani-Ukoma (Igbo) and S.J.Koripoma (Ijaw). Those who complied with party directive and resigned were Dr.M.I.Okpara (Igbo), M.C.Awgu (Igbo) and S.T.Muna (Bamenda, Cameroun).

With the above ‘sit-tight’ attitude of some of the ministers, Which they had their reasons in other to enable the Minorities have a representation in Government, it behoved the legislature to orchestrate the requisite action to paralyse government business, which was practically in the hands of the British Lt. Governor. In the Eastern House of Assembly, the NCNC majority subsequently succeeded in paralysing the constitutional system by voting to defeat or defer every bill before the House. As a last resort, the Lt. Governor was obliged to use his reserve power of legislation, the ultimate proof of colonial rule and subjugation in a politically advanced dependency, to pass the Regional Appropriation Bill into law.

Ultimately, the Macpherson Constitution proved unworkable and collapsed as Zik had planned after 15 months of its operation and was replaced with a new Constitution (the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954) that granted residual powers to the regions and provided that apart from the Regional Governor, colonial officials of the administration would be excluded from the Executive Council of the Eastern and Western Regions, amongst other favourable provisions.

Meanwhile, with the collapse of EyoIta’s government in May 1953, a new election was conducted to elect new members to the Eastern House of Assembly. Azikiwe was elected from Onitsha; NCNC dominated the House and its leader, Azikiwe, assumed the office of premier or head of government.

Eyo Ita as leader of the minor party in the House became leader of Opposition.For details of these historical facts, see Richard L. Sklar, Nigerian Political Parties (1963), pages 115 – 140. Amplifications of particular points can also be gleaned from James S. Coleman, Nigeria: Background to Nationalism (1958).

Given the above prognosis, would it be wise and correct for anybody to claim that Zik or the Igbo conspired to oust Eyo Ita from power? Or that the constitutional crisis that terminated EyoIta’s government was tribally motivated? But this is the verdict or notion that has been transmitted from generation to generation in the South-South.

Can anyone tell how Eyo Ita Died

Adefatima:
Please note this , Ibibio is no longer an ethnic group from Calabar .
It is an Akwa ibom ethnic groups also
Philip Effiong before he died later rejected and Biafra outright because our elders lambasted him and for taking side with the Biafran soldiers to killed thousands of our peoples but he apologized seriously and told our traditional elders that he was betrayed , disappointed or used and dump by the Igbo.

So in a nutshell we are absolutely against Biafra and and the Ibibio is from Akwa ibom State .
James Abasiofon

dignity33:
Read careful because the OP try to mislead the readers, the reason for this article on vanguard July 11 2012, is to put things correct on how some minsters try to sabotage independent which they were all aware before and to solve the notion to those who believe that Igbo ousted Eyo ita.

Adefatima:
Why was Eyo ita sacked from power

WHAT HAPPENED TO:
PROFESSOR EYO ITA
LEADER EASTERN REGION

After Nigeria's independence, Azikiwe was Governor-General (1960-1963) and President (1963-1966). In 1966, a military coup ended Azikiwe's term as president, and the NCNC dissolved in the following turmoil. The NCNC was accused by its adversaries of focusing overly on the interests of the Igbo population.

Having been ousted by Awolowo from becoming the first Premier of the Western Region in the famous carpet-crossing saga (of 1952), Azikiwe went to the East and ousted Eyo Ita …

The bitterness generated by that single stroke of political injustice was at the root of the attitude of the Eastern minorities in the bloody disputes of 1966- … the first blame must rest squarely on Azikiwe …”. Aladinma went further to apologise “on behalf of our fathers to the people of the Niger-Delta for that wrongdoing that ruined the brotherly relationship we had from time immemorial”

Now to the matter of Azikiwe - Eyo Ita face-off:On the eve of the 1951 elections in which Azikiwe contested for a seat in the Western House of Assembly from his Lagos base, Zik declared that he was not going to accept a ministerial post in “an inferior legislature of the colonial type”.

In other words, he was not prepared to serve as minister (premier or prime-minister) at regional or national level in the then premature Nigerian political system. His object, he said, was to achieve an NCNC majority in the regional and central legislatures that would act to “paralyse the machinery of government” and lead to a reformation of the Constitution.The Macpherson Constitution had provided for “semi-responsible government” at the centre and in the regions.

The official phrase was “responsible government within defined limits”. Zik did not accept this. He wanted total independence. This was what informed his declaration above. It was a grand tactics for national independence that the Action Group later imbibed.

After the upheavals in the Western House of Assembly,Zik began to rally his partymen to the achievement of the above-stated objectives. This took some time. Eventually, however, the NCNC resolved and called its central ministers to resign in order to actualise the above independence strategy.

But these ministers were now enjoying their new stations in life, the perquisites of ministerial office. Some of them did not, therefore, want to give up the positions. In so doing, they were undoubtedly sabotaging and delaying the independence struggle that had already got them to where they were.

Three NCNC central (national) ministers were the first culprits and were summarily dismissed from the party. They were A.C.Nwapa (Igbo), EniNjoku (Igbo) and Okoi Arikpo(Ogoja).

ONLY Dr Endeley (Cameroun) was supportive of the tactics.Eyo Ita, the Head of Government Business in Eastern Nigeria and some of his ministers kicked against the policy and were flabbergasted when the central ministers were dismissed by the party. Of course, when the party asked them to resign, they equally rebelled against the party and refused to comply. They became known as ‘sit-tight ministers’.

Amongst them were Eyo Ita (Ibibio),E.I.Oli (Igbo), S.J.Una (Ogoja), R.I.Uzoma (Igbo), S.W.Ubani-Ukoma (Igbo) and S.J.Koripoma (Ijaw). Those who complied with party directive and resigned were Dr.M.I.Okpara (Igbo), M.C.Awgu (Igbo) and S.T.Muna (Bamenda, Cameroun).

With the above ‘sit-tight’ attitude of some of the ministers, Which they had their reasons in other to enable the Minorities have a representation in Government, it behoved the legislature to orchestrate the requisite action to paralyse government business, which was practically in the hands of the British Lt. Governor. In the Eastern House of Assembly, the NCNC majority subsequently succeeded in paralysing the constitutional system by voting to defeat or defer every bill before the House. As a last resort, the Lt. Governor was obliged to use his reserve power of legislation, the ultimate proof of colonial rule and subjugation in a politically advanced dependency, to pass the Regional Appropriation Bill into law.

Ultimately, the Macpherson Constitution proved unworkable and collapsed as Zik had planned after 15 months of its operation and was replaced with a new Constitution (the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954) that granted residual powers to the regions and provided that apart from the Regional Governor, colonial officials of the administration would be excluded from the Executive Council of the Eastern and Western Regions, amongst other favourable provisions.

Meanwhile, with the collapse of EyoIta’s government in May 1953, a new election was conducted to elect new members to the Eastern House of Assembly. Azikiwe was elected from Onitsha; NCNC dominated the House and its leader, Azikiwe, assumed the office of premier or head of government.

Eyo Ita as leader of the minor party in the House became leader of Opposition.For details of these historical facts, see Richard L. Sklar, Nigerian Political Parties (1963), pages 115 – 140. Amplifications of particular points can also be gleaned from James S. Coleman, Nigeria: Background to Nationalism (1958).

Given the above prognosis, would it be wise and correct for anybody to claim that Zik or the Igbo conspired to oust Eyo Ita from power? Or that the constitutional crisis that terminated EyoIta’s government was tribally motivated? But this is the verdict or notion that has been transmitted from generation to generation in the South-South.

Can anyone tell how Eyo Ita Died

Dikebuka:
Azikiwe messed up as man and as a leader..he was desperate and we agree.

But we cannot rule out the tribal role that Awolowo played that lead to this...the way he was kicked out..

Back to OP..
Why are you try to paint a a funny picture...

Azikiwe's style of politics was a lot too soon for Nigeria den..he made it seem as Igbos planned on domination.. Even me will be abit angry if someone from Tiv come to Imo to vie for position.

But we can't rule out the tribal game that Awolowo and his AG introduced into our political sphere.

Tyrant28:
Nawa ooo these potors are useless. �

Gabkosh:
You will be called Afonja

Adefatima:
Why was Eyo ita sacked from power

WHAT HAPPENED TO:
PROFESSOR EYO ITA
LEADER EASTERN REGION

After Nigeria's independence, Azikiwe was Governor-General (1960-1963) and President (1963-1966). In 1966, a military coup ended Azikiwe's term as president, and the NCNC dissolved in the following turmoil. The NCNC was accused by its adversaries of focusing overly on the interests of the Igbo population.

Having been ousted by Awolowo from becoming the first Premier of the Western Region in the famous carpet-crossing saga (of 1952), Azikiwe went to the East and ousted Eyo Ita …

The bitterness generated by that single stroke of political injustice was at the root of the attitude of the Eastern minorities in the bloody disputes of 1966- … the first blame must rest squarely on Azikiwe …”. Aladinma went further to apologise “on behalf of our fathers to the people of the Niger-Delta for that wrongdoing that ruined the brotherly relationship we had from time immemorial”

Now to the matter of Azikiwe - Eyo Ita face-off:On the eve of the 1951 elections in which Azikiwe contested for a seat in the Western House of Assembly from his Lagos base, Zik declared that he was not going to accept a ministerial post in “an inferior legislature of the colonial type”.

In other words, he was not prepared to serve as minister (premier or prime-minister) at regional or national level in the then premature Nigerian political system. His object, he said, was to achieve an NCNC majority in the regional and central legislatures that would act to “paralyse the machinery of government” and lead to a reformation of the Constitution.The Macpherson Constitution had provided for “semi-responsible government” at the centre and in the regions.

The official phrase was “responsible government within defined limits”. Zik did not accept this. He wanted total independence. This was what informed his declaration above. It was a grand tactics for national independence that the Action Group later imbibed.

After the upheavals in the Western House of Assembly,Zik began to rally his partymen to the achievement of the above-stated objectives. This took some time. Eventually, however, the NCNC resolved and called its central ministers to resign in order to actualise the above independence strategy.

But these ministers were now enjoying their new stations in life, the perquisites of ministerial office. Some of them did not, therefore, want to give up the positions. In so doing, they were undoubtedly sabotaging and delaying the independence struggle that had already got them to where they were.

Three NCNC central (national) ministers were the first culprits and were summarily dismissed from the party. They were A.C.Nwapa (Igbo), EniNjoku (Igbo) and Okoi Arikpo(Ogoja).

ONLY Dr Endeley (Cameroun) was supportive of the tactics.Eyo Ita, the Head of Government Business in Eastern Nigeria and some of his ministers kicked against the policy and were flabbergasted when the central ministers were dismissed by the party. Of course, when the party asked them to resign, they equally rebelled against the party and refused to comply. They became known as ‘sit-tight ministers’.

Amongst them were Eyo Ita (Ibibio),E.I.Oli (Igbo), S.J.Una (Ogoja), R.I.Uzoma (Igbo), S.W.Ubani-Ukoma (Igbo) and S.J.Koripoma (Ijaw). Those who complied with party directive and resigned were Dr.M.I.Okpara (Igbo), M.C.Awgu (Igbo) and S.T.Muna (Bamenda, Cameroun).

With the above ‘sit-tight’ attitude of some of the ministers, Which they had their reasons in other to enable the Minorities have a representation in Government, it behoved the legislature to orchestrate the requisite action to paralyse government business, which was practically in the hands of the British Lt. Governor. In the Eastern House of Assembly, the NCNC majority subsequently succeeded in paralysing the constitutional system by voting to defeat or defer every bill before the House. As a last resort, the Lt. Governor was obliged to use his reserve power of legislation, the ultimate proof of colonial rule and subjugation in a politically advanced dependency, to pass the Regional Appropriation Bill into law.

Ultimately, the Macpherson Constitution proved unworkable and collapsed as Zik had planned after 15 months of its operation and was replaced with a new Constitution (the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954) that granted residual powers to the regions and provided that apart from the Regional Governor, colonial officials of the administration would be excluded from the Executive Council of the Eastern and Western Regions, amongst other favourable provisions.

Meanwhile, with the collapse of EyoIta’s government in May 1953, a new election was conducted to elect new members to the Eastern House of Assembly. Azikiwe was elected from Onitsha; NCNC dominated the House and its leader, Azikiwe, assumed the office of premier or head of government.

Eyo Ita as leader of the minor party in the House became leader of Opposition.For details of these historical facts, see Richard L. Sklar, Nigerian Political Parties (1963), pages 115 – 140. Amplifications of particular points can also be gleaned from James S. Coleman, Nigeria: Background to Nationalism (1958).

Given the above prognosis, would it be wise and correct for anybody to claim that Zik or the Igbo conspired to oust Eyo Ita from power? Or that the constitutional crisis that terminated EyoIta’s government was tribally motivated? But this is the verdict or notion that has been transmitted from generation to generation in the South-South.

Can anyone tell how Eyo Ita Died

gwafaeziokwu:


I don't know if it's me or that you lack comprehension. Zik as the grandmaster of the political game brought out an idea on how to dismantle the former constitution that made the regions almost an appendage of the colonialists. He was fighting for loose independence of East and west. While people like Mike Okpara saw the vision,Prof. Eyo Ita and other sit tight ministers refuse to tow the line and they were suspended by NCNC.

Yet ,at the end this strategy by Zik resulted in a new constitution that gave semi autonomy to the regions including the western region. If there was any indictment you wanted against the person of Zik through this article,you ended up portraying Eyo Ita as politically naive.

7lives:


Did Awo not fight for seccesion clause to be included in our constitution?.
Having done everything possible to sabotage the seccesion clause, Zik later wanted to become the premier of South West.
Zik had an agenda to subjugate the SW to another round of indirect colonization.
Awo making sure this never happen, was the best decision of Awo's life.

Enyimbafc:
And u are worthless

Enyimbafc:
Afonja muslims, Babangida annull Abiola's election and nothing happen.Till today Babangida is still alive.Igbo matter will kill all of you in Nigeria.

Dikebuka:


I can't speak for Zik and Awolowo

Reasons being that both parties have their flaws and postives for their actions

I was just pointing out how the events led to Eyo Ita removal.
Had it been Awolowo did not play such game, who knows how events would played out.

The OP was trying to paint it as if Azikiwe just woke up and went to the Eastern region, pointed a gun to Eyo It's head and maybe forced him out of office..
Besides it looked like NCNC based politics.

Throwback:
It would have been termed a betrayal of the Igbo if Eyo Ita was Igbo and Azikiwe was Ibibio.

Infact, it would have been termed tribal politics, without regard to the constitutional crisis that was the objective of Azikiwe.

However, having lost out in the West to the majority seats validly held by the Action Group of Awolowo, what stopped Azikiwe from playing his minority and opposition leader role in the same Western Region he so much wanted to rule?

Why did he make a quick dash back to the Eastern region like a lost soul who finally discovered his father's village?