Examine the factors which contributed to the Action Group Crises of 1962.
Explanation
Factors which contributed to the Action Group crises of 1962:
(I) One of the major factors which brought about the 1962 crisis within the Action Group was mainly personality clash. This was between Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the party leader and Chief S. L Akintola, the deputy. Chief Awolowo accused Chief Akinlola of being over-ambitious and posing as the leader of the party, with the intention to possibly overthrow him as the leader of the party.
(ii) Another factor to the crises was the introduction of a new ideology into the party - democratic socialism. This innovation brought the party into two opposing camps. Democratic socialism demands mixed socialist economy, having the support of the radical group in the party. The conservatives were opposed to this ideology because it was in conflict with their interests which covered commercial and business sectors.
(iii) The issue on whether or not to join the NPC ruling party to form a national government contributed to the crises in A.G. Chief Akintola's faction supported joining the NPC in forming a national government but Chief Awolowo's faction opposed such, and preferred a working co-operation with the NCNC which they believed would help in unseating the conservative NPC from power.
(iv) Another issue in contention was the allegation against Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then leader of opposition-in the House of Representatives. It was alleged that Chief Awolowo wanted the Premier of Western Region, Chief Akintola to consult with him before issues of importance were decided for the region. This was seen as an interference in the functions of the premier.
(v) In February 1962, A.G. had its annual congress in Jos, and decision was taken to abolish the post of a Deputy leader for the party, remove Chief Akintola as the premier of western Region and also dismiss Chief Ayo Rosiji, as the secretary of the party at the federal level. Chief S.L. Akintola, was found guilty of bad-administration, anti-party activities, disloyalty and gross indiscipline and therefore should be removed. The majority of party members in the Western Regional House of Assembly passed a vote of no confidence in the premier and presented same to the Governor, Sir Adesoji Aderemi. The Governor then had to remove Chief Akintola as the premier and he appointed Alhaji D. S. Adegbenro, the parliamentary leader in the House as the new premier. The Regional House met to ratify the decision of the executive, but turmoil broke out resulting in a free-for-all fight. It was alleged that supporters of Akintola started the fight; this was a strategy to prevent the normal conduct of the House affairs. The Police was called in and with teargas dispersed the members of the House.
(vi) With the confusion and disorder that ensued, the police had to lock up the legislative chamber on the orders of the Prime Minister. This was done as a result of the fight that came up when a second meeting was to hold. A state of emergency was declared in Western Region by the Federal government and Dr. M.A. Majekodunmi, a federal minister, was made the administrator. At the end of the emergency period, which lasted for 6 months, Chief Akintola was reinstated as the premier. In November 2 1962, ChiefAwolowo and about 30 others were charged with planning to overthrow the federal government. ChiefAwolowo was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
(vii) The reinstatement of Chief Akintola as the Premier led to his formation of a new party called United Progressive Party (UPP) and with an alliance with some members of NCNC, formed a coalition government in the region. UPP and NCNC later became Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). Justice G.B.A. Coker was appointed to head a commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of maladministration and misappropriation of public funds in some public corporations in the Region and at the end of the investigation, Chief Akintola, was not found guilty of such. The excising of Mid-west Region from the Western Region was another factor that led to the crises in Action Group. It should be of note that the A.G. never supported this action.