Development of Political Parties in Nigeria: (4) Action Group (AG), (5) Northern People’ Congress (NPC), (6) Northern Element Progressive Unions (NEPU): (a) Motives for the formation of AG, NPC and NEPU. (b) Organizational Structure. (c) Source of finance.(d) Objectives. (e) Performance.
SS 3
GOVERNMENT
FIRST TERM
LESSON NOTE SCHEME OF WORK
WEEKLY LESSON NOTE
WEEK 2
TOPIC: DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA
CONTENT
1. Action group (AG)
2. Northern People’s Congress (NPC)
3. Northern Element progressive union (NEPU)
a. Motives for formation of AG, NPC,NEPU
b. Organisational structure
c. Sources of finance
d. Objectives
e. Performance
SUBTOPIC 1
ACTION GROUP
A group of Yoruba students studying in Britain came together in 1945 and established a cultural group called Egbe Omo Oduduwa. It later metamorphosed to a political party called Action Group in March 1951. The founder and leader of the party was late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Other influential members of the parties were S.L. Akintola, Chief Shonibare, Chief Bode Thomas, Oni of Ife, Sir Adesoji Aderemi etc.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF AG
Membership of AG was open to individuals not below 16 years of age. The party had branches in the Local Government ward level in each region, divisional conference which was made up to two or more local government units, Regional parliamentary council, regional executive committee. Federal executive council and congress met annually. It has federal, regional and local government officers.
SOURCES OF FINANCE
1. Monthly subscription of members
2. Enrolment fees
3. Levies on the salaries of legislators and board members
4. Sale of flags, almanacs, handkerchiefs and either publicity materials
5. Donations.
6. Overdraft from national bank of Nigeria limited
OBJECTIVES OF AG
1. To encourage mass and qualitative education
2. To contest and win elections and control the western region
3. To challenge the political domination of NCNC in the western region.
4. To cooperate with the nationalist and all tribal organization towards the attainment of self-government for Nigeria.
PERFORMANCE OF AG
1. It contributed to the attainment of independence in Nigeria. It was a member of AG, chief Anthony Enahoro, who raised a motion for self-government for Nigeria by 1956. This greatly increased the agitation for self-government.
2. It won many elections in the western region.
3. It also contributed emencely to the development of the eastern region.
4. It was the first party that introduced free primary education in Nigeria in 1955 and implemented in the western region.
5. It represented the western region in all the constitutional conferences that led to the independence of Nigeria.
6. The party won many seats to become the opposition party in the eastern region and at the federal legislative.
EVALUATION
1. Trace the origin of Action Group.
2. What are the achievements of Action Group?
3. How did Action Group contribute to the development of political parties in Nigeria?
4. What impact did Action Group have on Nigerian politics and society more broadly?
SUB TOPIC 2
NORTHERN PEOPLE’S CONGRESS (NPC)
NPC originated from a cultural organisation called Jamiyya Jama’ar Arewa. The party was formed in 1951 under the leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello. Other prominent members were Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, the first prime minister of Nigeria, Isa Kaita, Muhammadu Ribadu, Kashim Ibrahim, etc.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF NPC
The party was only open to natives of northern region. It did not seek support from any other part of Nigeria. The following structures existed; National Executive Committee (NEC). It was the highest policy making body till 1957 when it was replaced by the central working committee (CWC). The members of NEC and CWC met accessional.
SOURCES OF FINANCE FOR NPC
I. Sales of membership card.
II. Donation from members of central and regional executive council.
III. Money realized from other social events organised by the party IV. Payment of dues by members
OBJECTIVES OF NPC
1. To foster unity among the northerners
2. To protect the interest of the northern people.
3. To foster the autonomy of the North
4. To educate northerners on their political and civil responsibilities
5. To preserve the tradition of the northerners
6. To eliminate bribery and corruption in spheres of northern life.
PERFORMANCE/ACHIEVEMENTS OF NPC
1. It produced the first prime minister of Nigeria
2. It controlled the federal government until the military took over in 1966
3. It controlled the politics of the northern region until 1966
4. It represented the northern region in all the constitutional conferences
5. Through its political education, it helps to arouse political consciousness of the northern people.
6. It fosters co-operation among the northerners.
EVALUATION
1. Who were the prominent founders of the Northern people’s Congress?
2. List any five achievements of NPC.
3. How did NPC influence the development of political parties in Nigeria?
4. What impact did NPC have on Nigerian politics and society more broadly?
SUBTOPIC 3
NORTHERN ELEMENTS PROGRESSIVES UNION (NEPU)
It was formed in August 1950 and was led by late Mallam Aminu Kano. It was a radical party formed mainly to protect the interest of the minority. It was one of the minor political parties in Nigeria. It enjoyed support from the bigger parties outside it region and it was sometimes supported financially by these big parties. It performed well in its areas of influence. It performed well against NPC in the Tiv area.
EVALUATION
1. Account for the formation of NEPU.
2. What was the achievement of NEPU.
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. Give an account of the development of the following political parties NPC, AG, NEPU.
2. Outline three achievement of NPC
3. State the major objectives of AG
4. Discuss the achievements or performance of Ag
5. Who was the founder of NEPU
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT (OBJECTIVES TEST)
- The main criticism against pre-independent political parties in Nigeria was that they (a) Were not national in outlook (b) had no manifestos (c) did not contribute to political development (d) did not educate the electorate.
2. The first head of state and head of government in Nigeria was (a) Fredrick lugard (b) Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (c) Major Kaduna Nzeogwu (d) Alhaji shehu shagari.
3. The political party that was transformed from a cultural organisation known as the Jamiyyar Jama’ar Arewa was (a) NEPU (b) NCNC (c) NPC (d) NNCP
4. One of the following was the leader of NPC (a) Nnmadi Azikwe (b) Samuel Akinsanya (c) Sir Ahmadu Bello (d) Murtalla Muhammed
5. Action group originated from one of these cultural association. (a) Jamiyyar Mutanen Arew (b) Egbe omo Oduduwa (c) Eresanmi Okiti (d) Ilu Odu.
6. The Northern Nigeria congress was a befitting response to the political activities of (a) NPC (b) NCNC (c) NEPU (d) ACTION GROUP..
7. In which year did ACTION group start its formal political activities? ______
8. What was ACTION group initials? ______
9. What were the main objectives of ACTION group? ______
10. Who formed ACTION group? ______
ESSAY TEST
1. Give account of the development the following parties NPC and AG
2. Mention three achievements each of NPC and AG
3. Who was the founder of NEPU.
READING ASSIGNMENT: Read comprehensive Government by Johnson Anyaele. Pages 176 – 177
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT: Read about the following political parties National party of Nigeria, Unity party of Nigeria, Nigerian People’s Party.
