Below is Obafemi Awolowo’s first speech as Chairman of the Action Group, delivered on April 28, 1951 at the party members’ conference in Owo, now Ondo State, Nigeria. This speech by Obafemi Awolowo is popularly known as
“Freedom For All“.
Gentlemen,
I was entrusted with the pleasant responsibility of introducing the action group. March 21st this year. The action group was introduced to the public through the press and its goals and tasks were clearly defined. Since then, the Action Group has continued to develop and achieve its goals through actions rather than words. The most eloquent tribute to the growing strength of this young organization is the fact that all of us gathered here this morning – accredited representatives from across the Western Region – are members of the Action Group. The objectives and tasks of the Action Group have not only been published, as I have already said, but are also contained in the draft Constitution, a copy of which has been sent to you. So I won’t waste your time repeating them. However, there are two elements of the goals and objectives that I would like to highlight as they form the basis of the Action Group. I mean points (1) and (3). The two are complementary and are as follows:
(1) Rally and organize the nationalists of the Western Region among themselves so that they can work together as a unified group and submit to the loyalty and discipline of the Party.
(2) Prepare and present to the public the programs for all departments of government and diligently strive to ensure the implementation of these programs by the elected members of the Western Legislative Assembly and the Federal Legislative Assembly.
Achieving these two goals requires adherence to the basic principles and the methods of applying these principles. If a group of people does not agree on the basic principles and methods of applying those principles, it will be impossible for them to work within the same group and submit to the loyalty and discipline of the Party. The basic principles that unite the members of the Action Group are summarized in the following motto:
A LIFE OF MORE REACH
FREEDOM FOR ALL
We believe that the people of Western Nigeria and Nigeria in general have a life would have more in abundance if they benefited from:
(i) the absence of British rules
(ii) the absence of ignorance
(iii) the absence of disease and
(iv) the absence of want.
In our opinion the rule of one nation over another is unnatural and unjust. It is maintained either by force or by complete subordination by insidious means to the will and respect of a people subject to the political supremacy of the protecting power. There is no satisfactory substitute for self-government.
For this reason, British prudence is to be condemned unreservedly. This is fundamentally unjustifiable. In practice, it is characterized by an extreme lack of planning and disregard for people’s vital interests. After almost 100 years of British rule, our country is still full of unspeakable ignorance, disease and poverty.
An ignorant and poor nation is the easiest victim of political slavery and economic exploitation.All kinds of diseases arise from ignorance and desires. The basic principles which have therefore united us in the Action Group may be expressed in the following words:
1) The immediate end of British rule at every stage of our political life.
2) Education of all children of school age and general education of all illiterate adults and all illiterate children above school age. 3) Ensuring the general health and well-being of all our citizens.
4) Completely eliminate scarcity in our society through economic policies that are both useful and effective.
Once these basic principles have been agreed, it is necessary to move on to the next phase, namely agreeing on common methods for applying these principles. This is a very important step: because even if people agree on the principles, if they do not agree on the methods of application, it will be impossible for them to work together.
In order to develop these common methods, some members of the Action Group were tasked with preparing articles not only on ministerial issues but also on organizational problems of the Action Group. It will be our duty, in the course of this Conference, to declare our irrevocable commitment to the principles already formulated and to determine, on the basis of the articles already presented on the various subjects, what our common methods of application will be. Once we are able to do these two things, our goals are almost achieved.
All we need is perseverance and consistency in pursuing our principles and determination and discipline in implementing our common application methods. I would like to say that, in my humble opinion, this is the first time in the annals of Nigeria that a political party has been built on a truly scientific basis. If all key members of the Action Group have more or less identical ideas about the principles that will guide their actions and work together to develop common methods of applying those principles, I am deeply convinced that the organization will be successful and sustainable. We only have to guarantee two things, namely whether our rules are correct and whether our methods are practical. Nothing thwarts our goals more easily than unfair rules and impractical behavior.
I believe that with these few observations I have succeeded in presenting you with a solid foundation on which the action group rests. We are here at this historic conference to strengthen and complete the superstructure already built through the commitment of the leaders living in the two zones (YORUBA AND CENTRAL WEST or WEST AND EAST) of the Western Region. It is true that we speak different languages; but it requires no careful research to find that we are generally descended from a common stock; and that, in any case, our political and cultural associations have such a long tradition that we are tempted to consider ourselves close relatives. And above all, we are Nigerians united by nature and the constitution.
Being together is in our power. In the first communication of the Action Group it was clearly stated, both in point (5) of the objectives and tasks and in the text of the communication, that the intention of the Action Group is not to engage only in regional policy. Out of sheer necessity, we decided to come together to get our house in order. As a sign of goodwill, the topics on which the program documents were drawn up are not limited to regional topics but also include central topics. Furthermore, the Action Group is not intended to be an ad hoc or temporary organization.
He has come to stay and will live forever. We have promised and keep our word that if a national organization acceptable to all is created, we will not hesitate to become the Western Regional Working Committee of such an organization. However, it is clear from all reports that under the new constitution such an organization will not be established before the parliamentary elections. We should therefore hope and strive that, having duly consolidated and strengthened our position throughout the Western region, we will, in collaboration with nationalists from other regions, influence the creation of a national organization based on the same realistic and Scientific guidelines based like the action group.
I am convinced that we all know that the achievement of all our goals and tasks depends primarily on our having a clear majority in the Western Legislative Assembly. With unity, determination and hard work, it should not be difficult for us to elect all of our candidates for this assembly. We are not fighting for seats in the House of Assembly because we desire power for its sake. We believe that, in a partial sense though, the new Constitution affords us an opportunity to be of better service to our people. We are a party – in fact the only party in Nigeria definite ideas and practical programmes for the advancement of Nigeria towards early freedom and prosperity.
