From last week continues the narrative on the 1959 elections, the nation-wide campaigns and the accusations and counter- accusations by rival party leaders of infractions by supporters of other parties. For instance, Alhaji Aliyu Makama Bida had said that Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his supporters had violated Northern traditions, for which they would never be forgiven

Alhaji Bida also described Action Group campaign by helicopter as both expensive and unreasonable. Arising from an NPC tour of Western Nigeria, the Sardauna of Sokoto had officially complained of ‘Action Group Hooliganism’, and the Northern Minister of Health, Alhaji Ahman Pategi, had declared that the main cause of disorder was AG and NEPU leaders use of abusive language about their opponent. 

In the Eastern Region, Dr. Kingsley Mbadiwe, leader of the DPNC, had also complained of NCNC hooliganism, while Chief Awolowo had described Dr. Azikiwe as a ‘born dictator’. Continuing his tour of Northern Nigeria, Dr. Azikiwe warned NPC leaders that “the Region’s taxpayers were dissatisfied and that the opinion of the common man was not being respected. This was a situation conducive to the growth of communism’. Dr. Azikiwe said allegations of hooliganism and violence by all political parties were regularly claimed by their opponents. 

Chief Awolowo said that he would ask Sir James Robertson to bring the Nigeria Police directly under the command of Mr. Bovell, Inspector General of Police. 

In reply, the NPC issued a statement accusing the AG of trying to woo the NCNC, and said it would oppose any move to curtail the Northern Region’s internal autonomy. The NCNC leaders, pointed out that until recently the AG had advocated regionalisation of all Nigeria Police.

In October 28, 1959, the Governor-General of Nigeria, Sir James Robertson dissolved the Federal Parliament. The Governor called for an end to hooliganism in political campaigning. In a broadcast, Sir James Robertson warned that if the wave of hooliganism now sweeping across the country  was not checked by party leaders, he would instruct police to use sterner measures. He added that he had written in the most solemn language to leaders of major political parties to ask their party organisations to put an end to acts of violence or encouragement to violence. He said that on the eve of Nigerian Independence it was unfortunate that campaign meetings should feature lorry loads of cutlasses, broken bottles and rods to beat up political opponents.

Despite obstacles erected by their opponents, all the main politicians were busy touring the country and the Action Group’s ubiquitous helicopter continued to attract attention. From December 7, 1959, Chief Awolowo had been moving along the middle Belt, starting in Adamawa on December 7, and reaching Jos. His helicopter had continued to provide advertisement and excitement, calling the women to leave the Benue ferry to listen to him in Numan. The helicopter took him into remote villages, where no major political leader had penetrated before. 

As the windmill descended, its slogan of “Full Employment for All” was suddenly hidden in the cloud of dust. Chief Awolowo emerged for organised women to rush forward, only to be drowned in a second choking storm as the helicopter left the football field. 

At Jimeta, Chief Awolowo’s theme was the NA and alkalai oppression of Action Group supporters in the North. At Jos, much of the speech was devoted to ‘Votes for Women’. At Borno, the Shehu of Bornu was annoyed at leaflets fluttering from the helicopter into the most secret parts of his palace. The AG in addition to lavish promise, gave ‘handout’, ‘give away’, etc. The Sardauna said that people should take money offered for their votes but not betray their children by voting that way. There was therefore more to “give-away” than pencils and match-boxes marked with palm trees. 

Excluding the eight seats allocated to Southern Cameroons not being contested because the territory had expressed the desire to opt out of the Nigerian Federation with which, since 1920, it had been administered by the U.K. as a mandate by the league of nations. So, 312 seats were contested. By December 5, nomination lists had closed. Mr. R. Okafor administration secretary of NCNC, candidate for Owerri West was returned unopposed.

For the 174 seats in the North, 550 candidates were nominated – 170 by NPC and its allies; 156 by NEPU and NCNC; 167 by AG and UMBC and 53 Independents. For the East 73 seats, there were 183 nominations: for NCNC 73; A.G. 43 and 22 for DPNC. In the West, 170 nominations were received for the 62 seats, with the AG and NCNC supplying an equal number of candidates. 

On Saturday, December 12, 1959, the Federal elections took place in orderly atmosphere, although the electoral campaign was vigorous and many people were injured. But no grave incidents occurred and only about 50 people were arrested for the alleged electoral offences. The number of people who voted was 7,185,555. In the Northern Region—3,258,520 (votes cast) and 89.4% (percentage poll); Eastern Region-1,929,754(votes cast) and 75.3% (percentage poll); Western Region-1,887, 209 and 71.2% (percentage poll); Lagos-110,072 (votes cast) and 76.2% (percentage poll).

To be concluded…

Eric Teniola, a former director at the Presidency wrote from Lagos.