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"Awo Awo." The fact that Nigeria's future as a nation is now very much in doubt was evident in Gowon's first broadcast to his people. "The basis for confidence in our system of government has not been able to stand the test of time," he said. "The basis for unity is not there. I therefore feel that we should review our national standing and see if we can help stop the country from drifting into utter destruction."
Gowon apparently hopes to turn the government over to civilians "as soon as it can be arranged," and one of his first acts in office was to release from detention one of Nigeria's most respected—and controversial—political leaders, Yoruba Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the deposed premier of the Western Region. "We need you for your wealth of experience," he told Awolowo. His release was greeted by mobs of jubilant Westerners. In Lagos, Yoruba motorists drove through the streets shouting "Awo! Awo!" and a traffic jam seven miles long converged on Awolowo's home town of Ikenne.
Awo was not the only politician freed. In the Eastern Region, Iwo Leader Michael I. Okpara was also released from detention. But it was open to question whether either man would be much help in restoring national unity. Before they were jailed, both had been outspokenly anti-North. And at one time or another, both went on record as favoring the division of Nigeria into its component regional parts.
Whether or not the new government was sincere in its vows to hold the nation together, Nigerians were taking no chances. With threats of secession coming from all regions except the powerless Middle West, the nation's trains, planes and highways were suddenly crowded with Hausas and Fulani fleeing from the South and Ibos and Yorubas deserting the North. Within a matter of weeks, they figured, they might well be caught behind enemy lines.