ABSTRACT
In 1976, Mushin District and the political community which flourished within its boundaries, no longer existed. Civilian rule returned to Nigeria on 1 October 1979, and before a year had passed far more sweeping changes than those of 1976 were instituted. The old Mushin was again divided, this time into six local government councils: Mushin (Central), Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye/Onigbongbo, Itire/Ikate, Oshodi/Isolo, Shomolu, and Kosofe. As for the chiefs, the seven Mushin chieftaincy divisions survived the local government changes, but not without some changes of their own. Administrative boundaries are but one element in a political system. Whether Mushin is a single polity, as it was between 1955 and 1976, or many polities, the quest for power in each one of them will not abate. In some ways, the takeover was reminiscent of the closing days of Nigeria's first civilian regime in 1965 when seven Mushin oba were recognised by the government only a few weeks before it was overthrown by the military.
