The Northern People’s Congress (NPC) was the dominant political party in the northern region of Nigeria at the time of independence.
History of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC)
The Northern People’s Congress was founded in June 1949 as a cultural organization called Jamiyyar Mutanen Arewa with the aim of enlightening the people of Northern Nigeria. When the founders recognized the need to convert the organization into a political party, its name was changed to the Northern People’s Congress and in 1951 it became a political party. As expected, the NPC was dominated by the Hausa-Fulani, with Islam as the main center.
The party ruled northern Nigeria from 1951 to 1966, when Nigeria suffered its first military coup. The Chairman of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) was the late Sir Ahmadu Bello and his deputy was Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The party is known for producing Nigeria’s first prime minister. Enrollment in CNP Enrollment in CNP was open only to residents of the Northern Region. He did not look for support in any other region of Nigeria. One notable competition was the Action Group (AG) in the Western Region. The NPC later became a minor party after the Nigerian Civil War.
Aims and Objectives of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC)
1.Development of the North: The party has been committed to the development of the North both politically and economically.
2. Autonomy: The party campaigned for the autonomy of the north. Common Understanding: The Party has created an atmosphere of common understanding among the people of the North.
3. Political Education: The NPC helped educate northerners about their political rights. NPC Post Governance: Controlled Northern Nigeria for many years.
4. Prime Minister: The NPC, as a party, produced Nigeria’s first prime minister and governed the entire early republic. Constitutional Conferences: Attended most constitutional conferences in Nigeria and abroad such as the London Constitutional Conference of 1953.
5.Political Education: Contributed to educating people about their political rights. It also increased the political consciousness of northerners. Common Understanding: The Party has created an atmosphere of common understanding among the people of the North.
