On March 17, 1967, General Yakubu Gowon in an attempt to forestall the Eastern region of Nigeria from seceding…

Analyze the question: The question asks how many states Gowon created in his attempt to stop the Eastern Region from seceding. The date given is 1967, shortly before the Civil War began.

Concept: Nigeria's state creation happened in stages:

• 1963: Mid-Western Region was created, giving 4 regions (Northern, Western, Eastern, Mid-Western).
• 27 May 1967: Gowon issued Decree No. 14, which split the 4 regions into 12 states.
• 1976: Murtala Muhammed created 19 states.
• 1987: Babangida created 21 states.
• 1991: Babangida created 30 states.
• 1996: Abacha created 36 states.

Solution:

1. Gowon's aim was to break the dominance of the major regions and address minority fears, especially in the East. This would weaken Ojukwu's support base.
2. The creation of 12 states was announced on 27 May 1967, and Ojukwu declared Biafra on 30 May 1967.
3. The 12 states were: • North: North-Western, North-Central, Kano, North-Eastern, Benue-Plateau, Kwara • East: East-Central, South-Eastern, Rivers • West: Western, Lagos • Mid-West: Mid-Western
4. The 19 states came in 1976 under Murtala Muhammed, so E is wrong. The 7 states and 5 states are not part of Nigeria's history. The 17 states option is also not a historical figure.

A note on the date: The question says March 17, 1967, but the 12-state decree was actually 27 May 1967. The date in the question seems to be slightly off. Still, the answer is clear because the 12-state structure was the only state creation that took place in 1967 to forestall secession.

Answer: C. 12 states federal structure.

Tip: Remember the sequence of state creation: 1963 (4 regions) → 1967 (12) → 1976 (19) → 1987 (21) → 1991 (30) → 1996 (36). "Gowon = 12, Murtala = 19, Babangida = 21 and 30, Abacha = 36."