Who was the umpire in the 1979 general elections in Nigeria?

Analyze the question: The question asks who headed the electoral body, the "umpire", for the 1979 general elections in Nigeria. That body was the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO).

Explain the concept: The "umpire" in an election is the electoral commission that organises and supervises the polls. It is the body that registers voters, conducts the voting, counts the votes and declares the results. In Nigeria it has had different names over time:

• FEDECO (Federal Electoral Commission): Second Republic, 1979 and 1983
• NEC (National Electoral Commission): 1989 to 1993
• NECON, then INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission): from 1998 and 1999 onwards

Step-by-step solution:

1. The 1979 elections were organised by FEDECO under the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo, as part of the handover to civilian rule.
2. The first Chairman of FEDECO was Chief Michael Ani, who was in charge during the 1979 elections.
3. Looking at the other options: • Justice Ovie Whisky chaired FEDECO later, for the 1983 elections. • Justice Ephraim Akpata was a later INEC chairman (1990s to 2000s). • Professor Eme Awa chaired the National Electoral Commission (NEC) in 1987 to 1989, for the Third Republic transition. • Chief Karibi Whyte was a Supreme Court justice and is not associated with chairing an electoral commission for the 1979 elections.

Answer: B. Chief Michael Ani

Tip: Link the chairman to the year with a simple chain:

• 1979 → FEDECO → Ani
• 1983 → FEDECO → Whisky
• 1987 to 1989 → NEC → Awa

Remember "Ani for 1979, Awa for the late 80s". Chairmen of the electoral body come up often in Government exams.