FX Exchange

The Origin of What Later Led to the Eventual Demise of Ahmadu Bello and His Fellow Northern Kinsmen

The 1953 Motion for Self-Government

In March 1953, during a session of the House of Representatives in Lagos, Chief Anthony Enahoro, a member of the Action Group (AG), moved a motion calling for “self-government in 1956.”
The southern nationalists — mostly from the Action Group (AG) and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) — strongly supported the motion, arguing that Nigeria was ready for independence within three years.

However, Northern leaders, led by Sir Ahmadu Bello of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), opposed the motion. They felt the North was not yet socially, politically, or educationally ready for independence at that pace. Instead, the North proposed a gradual transition without fixing a date.

This difference caused deep resentment and division between the North and South. As the leader of a region, what was best for his people was Ahmadu Bello’s main concern. He feared that Nigeria was not ready for self-government because of its fragile nature. This fear eventually became a reality when, after independence, the problem of nation-building emerged. The lack of readiness he foresaw was what led to the collapse of the First Republic.

The Insults and Southern Press Campaign

Another mistake the southerners made was the insults and press campaign that followed.
After the debate, southern politicians and newspapers (notably the West African Pilot and Daily Service) attacked and mocked the Northern leaders, portraying them as backward, unpatriotic, and stooges of British colonialism.
Some editorials and cartoons described Northern leaders as “enemies of progress” who were “afraid of freedom.”

The insults especially targeted Ahmadu Bello, who had spoken most strongly against early self-government. In response, Ahmadu Bello reportedly said:

“The mistake of 1914 has come to light… the North is not ready to join with the South yet.”

Clearly, his position showed that he was concerned that the amalgamation of 1914 was not in the best interest of Nigerians but rather that of the colonialists. He believed the same fate awaited Nigeria if it rushed into self-determination without resolving the deep divisions between regions.

The Northern People’s Congress (NPC) saw these insults as evidence of southern arrogance and domination, and relations between the regions deteriorated quickly. In fact, the cartoons portrayed Ahmadu Bello as an enemy of the nation, while in reality, he was only concerned about the future of the union — which was eventually cut short by certain groups of people.

This tension eventually led to the Kano Riot of 1953, which caused the deaths of dozens and injuries to many. The British government then intervened, blaming the deep regional mistrust and calling for constitutional reform. This led to the 1954 Lyttleton Constitution, which strengthened regional autonomy — effectively formalizing Nigeria’s division into three powerful regions.

However, this did not change the perception of southerners about Ahmadu Bello. His exceptional foresight led him to predict the eventual collapse of the First Republic even before self-determination was granted to Nigeria. The Northerners saw the South as domineering and arrogant; trust was broken, and this mistrust persisted beyond independence, shaping Nigeria’s postcolonial politics and even influencing the 1966 coup.

The tragedies that later unfolded made the Premier of the Northern Region more cautious in dealing with other regions. This skepticism was what informed his remarks in the video about the dominant nature of one group, which he predicted would bring fever to the union. His concerns were genuine, but due to desperation, other regional leaders could not think beyond their ambitions.
Independence eventually came, and the First Republic later collapsed during the process of nation-building, just as Ahmadu Bello had predicted. Unfortunately, he and other northern nationalists never expected that their lives would be taken because of these concerns.

Continue to rest well, Gamji.

Never Give up

Wani Sabon Rikici Ya Barke tsakanin Imagirashan da wata mata #ddlhausa