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Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, SAN, has asserted that what the British colonial government transferred to Nigeria in 1960 was merely "flag independence."
Falana expressed this view on Wednesday while appearing as a guest on 'Politics Today', a program aired on Channels Television.
He stated, “Between 1951 and 1959, when the first indigenous government was established in the country, the politicians of the First and even the Second Republic were largely driven by ideology.
“They understood their objectives and competed among themselves. They sought power with a sense of responsibility.
“In 1960, the British colonial administration granted Nigeria 'flag independence.' However, the initial group of politicians effectively utilized this opportunity before the system ultimately failed.”
What did Femi Falana mean by "flag independence"?
He suggests that while Nigeria was given the appearance of independence, it did not come with the full powers of autonomy and governance.
What was the political landscape like in Nigeria before independence?
The political environment between 1951 and 1959 was characterized by a focus on ideological competition among political parties, with leaders who had clear objectives and a commitment to governance.
