Why the British discouraged Northern Nigeria from seceding in 1953

Nobody professes to want a Nigerian Pakistan—which would be economic nonsense. Why the British discouraged Northern Nigeria from seceding in 1953 

The account of The Spectator, a London based newspaper of the infamous Kano Riot of 1953, provides an incontrovertible proof of why the British government discouraged the North from seceding from their artificially-created Nigeria.

According to the report: "Northerners and Southerners live in different towns, worship different gods and have different histories, languages and social habits. Most important of all, Southerners have the educational advantages which 'enable them to get the better-paid clerical and supervisory jobs. Nobody professes to want a Nigerian Pakistan—which would be economic nonsense—but unless the leaders of all three regions can hammer out a common policy there is a danger of things drifting that way."

The Genesis

In the 1953, Anthony Enahoro of the Awolowo-led Action Group made a history when he moved the motion for Nigeria's independence (self-government for Nigeria in 1956) in floor of the House of Representatives. The Northerners led by the Saraduna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello did not accept the motion. Bello, the leader of the Northern People's Congress (NPC) moved a counter-motion, which replaced in the year 1956 with the phrase "as soon as practicable". Another Northern member of the House moved a motion for adjournment.Southern members of AG and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) viewed the last motion as a delay tactics. All the AG and NCNC members in the house walked out as a result of the adjournment motion. When the Northern delegates left the House, they were confronted by hostile crowds in Lagos who insulted, jeered and called them all sorts of names. Members of the Northern delegation were embittered and in their "Eight Point Program" in the Northern Regional Legislative House, they sought for secession. 

It was under this circumstance that Chief Samuel L. Akintola made his infamous Northern tour that caused the Kano Riot of 1953. Akintola's tour has been viewed as the last straw that broke the camel's back. The tour was aimed at campaigning for self-government in the north, which the north has earlier rejected at the floor of the house. Instead of convincing them a sparked of a terrible riot that led to the death of many Biafrans. Akintola's tour sparked off a chain of disorder that culminated in the riot that took place at Sabon Gari an area predominantly occupied by Biafrans.

Related Story:

[Part 2] Chronicling unceasing slaughter of Biafrans in Nigeria before Boko Haram (1980-2006)

The Spectators' Account to the British Audience

21 MAY 1953, Page 3

Read the report below.

The Kano Riots

Forty-six deaths in riots in Kano, the commercial centre of Northern Nigeria, is depressing news. For the past couple of months Nigeria has been going through a period of political crisis, but hitherto tensions had remained at the level of debate, not of violence. The trouble is that a superficial con- flict between Mr. Awolowo's Action Group, the dominant party in the Western Region, and the Northern People's Congress, led by the Sardauna of Sokoto, which is in control in the North, over the date when Nigeria should be granted full self-government conceals a more profound division of opinions and interests. 

The leaders of the political parties in the South, influenced by Gold Coast and Indian examples (Mr. Awolowo has recently been the guest of Pandit Nehru), wish to press ahead with the process whereby power is transferred from British administrators to African Ministers. The traditional rulers in the North, and the Northern People's Congress which tends to reflect their views, afraid of " domination by the south," wish to retard the process and look to the Administration to protect them. At the same time they are faced in their own Northern stronghold with a challenge to traditional authority from the radical Northern Elements Progressive Union. Once this opposition between political leaders is brought into the open it is not difficult for the unscrupulous_ and irresponsible to stir up communal feeling among the rank and file. 

In a city like Kano the familiar conditions are present. Northerners and Southerners live in different towns, worship different gods and have different histories, languages and social habits. Most important of all, Southerners have the educational advantages which 'enable them to get the better-paid clerical and supervisory jobs. No- body professes to want a Nigerian Pakistan—which would be economic nonsense—but unless the leaders of all three regions can hammer out a common policy there is a danger of things drifting that way.

Related Story:

[Part 2] Chronicling unceasing slaughter of Biafrans in Nigeria before Boko Haram (1980-2006)