The economic downturn in Nigeria has forced us to focus more on the various governments, their ways and wastage. There is no doubt that oil wealth and the woes associated with it have transformed the character and substance of power in Nigeria. In the past, Nigerian leaders live simply. Today, the life of a Nigerian ruler is complex and expensive. If you are in doubt, compare the simplicity of the old Doddan Barracks residence of the Nigerian ruler to the beguiling complexity of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

During the First Republic, the official residence of Prime-Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the house facing the Lagos Island Club which is now being used as an office of the Economic Commission for West Africa, ECOWAS. The titular President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, was staying at the State House, Marina, once the residence of colonial Governor-General. When General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi became Nigerian first military ruler in January 1966, he moved to the State House, Marina. General Yakubu Gowon, who was a bachelor when he became Nigerian ruler after Ironsi was assassinated in July 1966, preferred the more modest residence of the former Minister of Defence in Doddan Barracks. That residence and offices were to be used by succeeding Nigerian rulers until General Ibrahim Babangida moved the seat of power to Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The only exception was General Murtala Muhammed who lived in his old official residence in Ikoyi and commune to Doddan Barracks, which he used for his office.

I believe two events transformed the nature of power in Nigeria. One was the assassination of General Muhammed in the morning of February 13, 1976 as his car got stuck in the early morning Lagos traffic. He was alone in his car with his driver . . .

http://backnaira.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8