Single party structure won’t work ( 3)

FROM the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons were Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe GCFR, Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu, Mr. T. O. S. Benson, Dr. S. E. Imoke, Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe, Mr. R. A. Njoku, Dr. Michael I. Okpara, Mr. D. C. Osadebey, Mr. Babatunde Olowofoyeku and Dr. Sanya Onabamiro. From the Northern Elements Progressive Union were Mallam Aminu Kano and Mallam Ibrahim Imam. From the Northern People’s Congress, they were Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Alhaji Aliyu Makama of Bida, Alhaji Isa Kaita, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu and Alhaji Inuwa Wada.

Others were Mr. H. Biriye from Rivers state, Mr. J. S. Tarka from the United Middle Belt Congress and Dr. Udo Udoma of the United National Independence Party. The Northern region had the Emir of Kano, Sir Muhammadu Sanusi and the Emir of Katsina, Sir Usman Nagogo, the Western region had the Ooni of Ife, Sir Adesoji Aderemi, Olowo of Owo, Sir Olateru Olagbegi, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Sir Ladapo Samuel Ademola ( 1872– 1962), the Ewi of Ado- Ekiti, Oba Daniel Anirare Aladesanmi II and the Eastern region had Chief Nyong Essien of Uyo at the meeting.

The governments in Nigeria were represented by Sir James Robertson, Sir Bryan Sharwood- Smith, Sir John Rankine, Sir Robert Stapledon and Sir J. O. Field, commissioner of the Cameroons.

The United Kingdom was represented by Mr. Alan Lennox- Boyd, the Earl of Pearth, Sir John Macpherson, Sir Hilton Poyynton, Sir John Martin, Mr. C. G. Eastwood, Mr. A. R. Thomas, Mr. H. T. Bourdilon, Mr. A. N. Galworthy and Mr. T. B. Williamson.

Advisers at London talks included Chief S. J. Amachree, Chief R. Edukugho, Mr A. J. U. Ekong, Mr. R. A. Fani- Kayode and Mr. J. Olawoyin from the Action Group, Mr. V. E. Mukete all from the Cameroon National Congress, Mr. A. N. Jua ( Cameroun National Democratic Party), Mr. N. N. Mbile( Cameroun People’s Party), Mr. P. A. Afolabi, Chief Kolawole Balogun, Mrs. M. Ekpo, Dr. C. Obi, Chief Festus Okotie- Eboh and Mr. J. T. Otobo— all from the National Council of Nigeria and the Camerouns.

Zana Bukar Dipcharima, Abba Habib, Shettima Kashim and Mr. G. U. Ohikere represented the National People’s Congress, Mr.

P. Dokotri ( United Middle Belt Congress), Mr. Okoi Arikpo ( United National Independence Party), Chiefs – Northern region— Aliyu Obaja, Attah of Igala, Sir Ralph Grey, Mr. E. I. G. Unsworth, Mr. F. D. C. Williams, Mr. C. S. K. Bovell, Mr. P. H. G. Scott, Mr. H. H. Marshall, Lt- Colonel E. C. Aderton, Mr. J. O. Udoji, Mr. D. O. Ibekwe, Mr. E. G. Stumpenhuson, Mr. Simeon O. Adebo, Mr. M. G. de Winton, Mr. F. A. Williams and Mr. J. Murray.

Others were Mr. J. E. Marhham, Mr. J. W. Vernon, Mr. R. J. Vile, Mr. P. A. P. Robertson, Mr. M. G. Smith and Mr. R. W. Francis represented the United Kingdom. Legal advisers were Sir Kenneth Roberts- Wray, Mr. J. C. Mcpetrie and Mr. A. R. Rushford. Mr. I. P. Bancroft, Miss M. Z. Terry, Mr. P. H. G. Stallard, Mr. D. S. Timms and Mr. K. O. H. Osborne were from the secretariat while Miss J. M. Cock was the Librarian.

Another Constitutional Conference was held in London between September 29 and October 27 1958.

After the second London Conference, October 1, 1960, was later selected for Nigeria’s independence. Shortly after independence, political crisis engulfed the country.

The first attempt to make Nigeria a one party structure began on April 9, 1965 in Benin. On that day the Mid- West Nigeria Legislature became virtually a one- party system following a dramatic crossing to the government side to eight of the nine Mid- West Democratic Front Opposition members in the House of Assembly. In a speech before crossing, Mid West Democratic Front leader, Chief James Okpre Otobo from Uzere said his party now saw eye to eye with the NCNC government on all essential approaches to development and progress of Mid- West. He also announced to formal dissolution of the Mid West Democratic Front.

The Mid West Regional Premier Dennis Chukude Osadebey ( 29 June 1911 — 26 December 1994) welcomed the former opposition members and said: “This is our finest hour and we have reason to rejoice.” He said the MDF members chose unity not disorder. He also said he was a believer in the one- party system of government. “It is natural, it is African it is efficient.” He said the fusing of the parties would ensure stability, progress and development of the Region.

Chief Otobo who died on September 11, 2011 at St Mary’s Hospital in London was a colourful Politician. He played a key role in the creation of Mid Western region in June 1963. His hometown Uzere is formerly known as ‘ Uzei’ is located in the Isoko

South Local Government Area ( LGA) of Delta State of Nigeria. It has become one of the largest petroleum oil producing communities in Nigeria. Oil exploration started in Uzere in 1957. Uzere has two oil fields ( Uzere West and Uzere East) with a total of 43 oil wells producing about 53,000 barrels per day ( 8,400 m3/ d). Uzere has nine communities: Uhei, Ezede, Uweye, Afikioko ( London Base), Uhroko ( Paris), Ekregbesi, Abale, IwreEzede, and Iboro.

Chief Otobo later rose to become deputy Premier of the Mid Western region.

As flamboyant as he was, Chief Otobo’s attempt failed.

The only Action Group member was absent from the House, one MDF member, Chief Okotako Enahoro, remained in opposition bench.

A few months later on January 15, 1966, the army took over power and it was not until September 1978 that political parties were formed.

The Unity party of Nigeria was launched on September 22, 1978 under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR while the Nigeria’s People Party with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe GCFR was launched on the same day. The NPP was made up of three groups namely, the National Union Council, Club 19 and the Council for National Unity and Progress. The following were the officers of the Party at that time. They included Mr. Solomon Lar, Mr. Matthew Mbu, Chief J. Edewor, Alhaji Yusufu Dan Tsoho, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Dr. Obi Wali and Mr. Joe Asogwa.

Others included Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, Dr. Ben Nzeribe, Alhaji Megida Lawal, Chief Theophilus Benson, Chief Basil Okwu, Mr. Paul Unongo, Dr. Omo Omoruyi, Chief Kolawole Balogun, Mr. Sam Mbakwe, Chief Olu Akinfosile, Chief Samuel Onitiri and Alhaji Jafaru Mango.

The Nigeria Advance Party was launched by Mr. Tunji Braithwaite on September 28, 1978. At the launching ceremony at Okesuna, Lagos Island, the following were present— Chief F. O. Moore, Alhaji Abdullahi Joseph, former secretary of Ilorin Talaka Parapo, Mr. Isaac Kpum, Mr. F. Mordi, Alhaji Sheru Danladi, Pastor B. K. Audu, Alhaji Umaru Dembo, Mr. F. O. Etim and Prince Bashari Aminu.

The People’s Redemption Party headed by Alhaji Aminu Kano and the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, with Alhaji Shehu Shagari as the Presidential Candidate were later launched.