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"My Humble Advice." These novel banking practices aroused no public comment until three months ago, when Zik, "aghast at public reports of corruption" in his government, fired an old crony from a cushy government job. The old crony, E. R. Eyo, is both an ex-convict and a member of the Eastern Region's House of Assembly. Out for vengeance, Eyo rose in the House to blurt out about the government funds in Zik's bank. The Speaker of the House ruled him out of order on a technicality. British Governor Sir Clement Pleass was not so easily silenced, asked for a commission of inquiry.
Fortnight ago, clearly hoping to scare the British into dropping the matter, Zik fired off to Colonial Secretary Lennox-Boyd in London a message threatening that he and his fellow ministers would resign en masse unless Governor Pleass, a man of "pathological stubbornness," was promptly removed. Stormed Zik: "My humble advice is that you be careful not to mess up the affairs of Eastern Nigeria as is the case in Cyprus and Singapore. We are ready for any eventuality, and will not stand nonsense from anybody. You have been warned."
"Invidious Task" Last week in the House of Commons, Lennox-Boyd gave his answer. Staunchly supporting Pleass, "who has a most difficult and invidious task," the Colonial Secretary ordered appointment of a commission to investigate Zik's relations with African Continental. The investigation, he added, would force postponement of the Nigerian constitutional conference originally scheduled for September, and consequently a delay in fulfillment of Britain's promise to give Nigeria self-government.
Oddly enough, as the inquiry got under way, Zik had the British in his corner, for a change. The British privately hoped that the accusations against Zik would prove unfounded. They are anxious to get on with federation, and if Zik proves not to be the man, they can see no one else in sight to build around.