Some secret documents were recovered from the archive of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) recently. These files assessed many sectors of the Nigerian economy and also made predictions about the things that are most likely to happen in the future.
Declassified CIA files show what went down with General Gowon’s administration.
Most importantly, the declassified files revealed some facts about Nigeria and the things that happened in the past. These facts are useful in measuring or studying the economic trend of the nation as a whole. They also recorded the roles of the past leaders of the nation while assessing the major impacts of the activities that molded the nation.
A denied page of the declassified documents.
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The Nigerian civil war ended in January 1970 and it left so many people in doubt. People were skeptical about the way things would be after the war, particularly if the highly populated country would be divided by the secession.
The victory of the federal government did not settle a number of problems because most of the problems caused by this secession are starting to resurface. Although Nigeria has always solicited for peace and unity, tribalism, regionalism and other sources of friction keep undermining the effort of the government towards a one-nation.
A page of the secret CIA file declassified.
As at the time this assessment was made, the economy of the nation was benefiting from an oil boom that shot the country’s name to the ninth producer in the world.
The government benefited a lot from the oil produced as the government focused on making important gains by controlling the oil production and placing measures aimed at controlling over production.
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Here are the basic things that marked General Gowon’s regime as a head of state:
1. Criticism of inaction in domestic affairs
A page showing what was documented in a declassified secret document during Gowon’s regime
General Gowon’s government was laced with criticism of inaction in domestic affairs. The CIA files revealed that the then head of state was unsure of the best way to achieve his objectives.
He perceived himself as a mediator who operates consensus with different records showing he was shouted down by his associates.
2. He read the Bible daily
It was discovered from the assessment made in the secret declassified document of the CIA that he was a modest man who lived simply and read the Bible daily.
He had a reputation of being relatively free from the corruption endemic in the Nigerian political system.
3. He avoided pressing issues
A page of the declassified CIA file revealing Nigeria under General Gowon.
The most recurring domestic criticism of Gowon’s leadership was that he was not making the hard and unpopular decision that was considered necessary.
The secret document revealed that he had an habit of diverting attention from pressing issues.
4. He did not designate any deputy
The then head of state had no deputy and all the decisions had to be taken by him even when he traveled out of the country.
The fact that he did not designate any deputy made it hard for things to be done without him as all powers and authority were vested on him. This issue added to the cumbersome working of the Nigerian bureaucracy which made things slower than necessary.
5. He did not identify with any tribe
General Gowon played a neutral part.
The 36-year-old head of the federal military government had gathered enough experience and confidence since he took over the government in 1966. General Gowon’s strength lied in his neutral and conciliatory image.
Being a minority tribesman and a Christian, he did not identify with any of the major tribes in Nigeria.
Ever since he took over, he developed an important constituency among minority tribesmen who had real power in the federal government through their control of the senior positions in the army.
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6. He was a hero
The widely publicized trips and the additional acceptance through speeches made him a hero at the end of the war. His main advisers were civilians who had a great knowledge in economic matters.
7. Good economic picture
The economic picture as revealed by the declassified secret document.
The economic picture was good in his regime as head of state. However, the country was facing problems typical to Africa. These problems include inflation, unemployment, endemic corruption and a serious shortage of managerial skills.
The supply of goods from liberalized imports and the current harvest reduced the impact of the inflation which was severe towards the end of the war. The oil boom was the brightest spot of production for the country as this pushed the revenues.
8. The civilian rule
General Gowon announced the return of the civilian rule in 1976.
The secret CIA document declassified revealed that the 62-year-old Awolowo had so many enemies that his chances of winning the leadership of an eventual civilian government seemed remote. The report however acknowledged that his Action Group remains the best organized political party.
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