The First Republic was the republican government of Nigeria between 1963 and 1966 governed by the first republican constitution. The country's government was based on a federal form of the Westminster system. The period between 1 October 1960, when the country gained its independence and 15 January 1966, when the first military coup d’état took place, is also generally referred to as the First Republic. The first Republic of Nigeria was ruled by different leaders representing their regions as premiers in a federation during this period. Leaders include Ahmadu Bello Northern Nigeria 1959–1966, Obafemi Awolowo Western Nigeria 1959–1960, Samuel Akintola Western Nigeria 1960–1966, Michael Okpara Eastern Nigeria 1960–1966, and Dennis Osadebay Mid-Western Nigeria 1964–1966. Founded (1963) Although Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960, the nation retained the British monarch, Elizabeth II, as titular head of state until the adoption of a new constitution in 1963 declaring the nation a republic. The Westminster system of government was retained, and thus the President's powers were generally ceremonial. The name "Nigeria" is derived from the word "Niger" – the name of the river that constitutes the most remarkable geographical feature of the country. Nigeria is a country of , bound to the west by Benin Republic, to the north by the Niger and Chad Republic, east by the Republic of Cameroon, and south by the Gulf of Guinea. The country gained independence from the British government on 1 October 1960, and became a republic in 1963. The journey to independence started with some constitutional developments in Nigeria. These constitutional developments saw the country attaining self-rule in some quarters in 1957 and total independence on 1 October 1960. President Note: Nnamdi Azikiwe resigned from NCNC to become the First Governor-General of Nigeria from 16 November 1960 – 30 September 1963. Prime minister Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa of the Northern People's Congress was the only Prime Minister during the period of the First Republic. Political parties Action Group (AG) Borno Youth Movement (BYM) Democratic Party of Nigeria and Cameroon (DPNC) Dynamic Party (DP) Igala Union (IU) Igbira Tribal Union (ITU) Midwest Democratic Front (MDF) National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons/National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) National Independence Party (NIP) Niger Delta Congress (NDC) Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) Northern People's Congress (NPC) Northern Progressive Front (NPF) Republican Party (RP) United Middle Belt Congress