1. How did Yakubu gowon maintain his power

2. who and what influenced him

3. How did he control his people

I think it was his back ground because his ethnicity and his religious back ground made him an ideal choice to be leader in a place with ethnic and religious conflict. Another factor in his favor was the no victor no vanquished policy which allowed reconciliation among the fighters possible. Unfortunately despite his success in war and economy, his government had elements of corruption that would lead to his overthrow.