This question was very straightforward and popular among the candidates.  They understood its demands and adequately responded to it. Most candidates were able to name the political parties in part (a) and at the same time did justice to the (b) part of the question. The Part (b) of the question was properly answered as candidates were able to highlight the causes of the fall of Nigeria’s First Republic. Nevertheless, candidates were expected to explain the following points in order to score good marks:

           (a)
                        (i) Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU);
                        (ii) National Congress of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC);
                        (iii) Action Group (AG);
                         (iv) Northern People’s Congress (NPC);

           (b)
                        (i) There was abuse of power at the centre and Regions;
                        (ii) widespread corruption in the Nigerian Public Service;
                        (iii) tribalism and nepotism in Public appointments;
                        (iv) minority groups felt they had been cheated and marginalized;
                         (v) persistent fear of domination by the majority made cooperation difficult;