Crisis and Conflict in the Western Region, 1962–63

Abstract

During 1960 and 1961, fundamental tensions in the Action Group had begun to crystallise and then to surface. To a significant degree, the brewing crisis stemmed from the staggering defeat of the Action Group in the 1959 Federal Elections, which left Chief Awolowo stranded in opposition at the centre without a firm base of power resources and at the same time compelled him to devise a fresh strategy for building a national political majority. Defeat led him to more strident opposition, while convincing his party’s more conservative businessmen and traditional rulers of the futility of political pursuits beyond their own region. Increasingly, the party found itself sharply divided over ideology, political strategy and party control between the rival factions of Party Leader Obafemi Awolowo and Regional Premier Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

‘I am in a confused state because I think something has started today, something has begun today which is going to go much further than most of us here imagine.’-Chief Anthony Enahoro, Action Group Member, in parliamentary debate over the motion to declare a State of Emergency in the Western Region, 29 May 1962 (quoted in Balewa, 1964: 128)

‘I solemnly assure you that the powers we shall soon be forced to assume will be exercised in as humane and democratic a manner as the circumstances will permit, and that, as soon as reasonably may be, the Federal Government will actively promote … an early return to the normal processes of democracy.’-Prime Minister Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in the same debate, 29 May 1962 (Balewa, 1964: 132)