ABSTRACT
CONSIDER THE SITUATION OF COLONEL YAKUBU GOWON. W hat would a political scientist have advised this young African leader who on the first of August, 1966, accepted leadership of the National Military Government of Nigeria? The problems confronting Gowon were typical of those prevalent in most developing countries. He faced the challenges of achieving political stability and national unification, sustaining economic and social development and national independence, accommodating con flicting group demands, and reducing tension among regions and classes. It was the agglomeration of these problems that made Gowon’s position pre carious and made the welfare of millions of Nigerians hang in the balance. Could a political scientist have improved upon the choices Gowon made to resolve these various issues?
