Nigeria Restores Federal Govt.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31154, 2 September 1966, Page 11

Nigeria Restores Federal Govt.

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) LAGOS, September 1. The Nigerian Military Government has published a decree formally restoring the country’s federal system of Government.

The decree, effective today, was signed by the head of the Military Government. Lieutenant-Colonel Yakubu Gowon, who took control of Nigeria after an army mutiny at the end of July. “By this decree the federal system of government has been restored throughout the country,” said a statement. “The National Military Government becomes the Federal Military Government, groups of provinces are to be known once again as regions, the capital territory of Lagos becomes Federal Lagos, and the National Public Service Commission reverts to its former title of Federal Public Service Commission.” Colonel Gowon took control from the Head of State. Major - General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. who had tried to convert the country from a land of regions and tribes into a unified nation. The new decree reverts to the system of federal govern

(ment in force before the January revolt which brought General Ironsi to power. The Federal Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafewa Balewa, was killed in the army uprising.

Soon after he took over, Colonel Gowon promised a return to civil rule as soon as possible.