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JOURNEY INTO HISTORY
Every edition we will take you down memory lane. Yes, the Nigerian historical memory lane. We begin with the treason trial of Chief Obafemi Awolowo - nationalist, founder and leader of the defunct Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria.
Obafemi Awolowo’s Allocutus
Statement by Chief Awolowo while before The High Court before sentencing for Treasonable Felony. September 11, 1963
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I must say, and this may have to be taken up with a higher tribunal, that I do not agree with your Lordship’s verdict, and the premises on which it is based. For upwards of 30 years, I have been in politics in Nigeria; during this period I have operated in various important theatres in the life of this great Federation. I have, with others, fought against British imperialism with all my might, and with all the talents that it pleased God to give me. Together with other nationalists, some of whom are with me and many of whom are not with me here, we have successfully INTO Every edition we will take you down memory lane. Yes, the Nigerian historical memory lane. We begin with the treason trial of Chief Obafemi Awolowo - nationalist, founder and leader of the defunct Action Group and Unity Party of Nigeria. Obafemi Awolowo’s Allocutus thrown out British imperialism and enthroned Africans in positions which, 20 or moreyears ago, they never dreamt of occupying. I have been an unyielding advocate of a Federal Constitution for Nigeria. I have all along, with other leaders of this country, been a very active and constructive participant in all the constitutional conferences which have taken place since 1953, and which have culminated not only in the attainment of independence but in the production of a Constitution of which Nigerians are very proud. This Constitution is now being gradually violated. I have also fought against anything which savours of injustice. It is thus an irony of history that, as one of the architects of Nigeria’s independence, I have spent almost half of Nigeria’s three years of independence under one form of confinement or another. Since 1957 I have fought, as your Lordship remarked, with vigour against the feudal system in the Northern Region and for its eradication. I have also fought to prevent the spread of this evil political system to other parts of Nigeria.
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I have also fought against anything which savours of injustice. It is thus an irony of history that, as one of the architects of Nigeria’s independence, I have spent almost half of Nigeria’s three years of independence under one form of confinement or another. |
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During the same period I have strongly advocated the breaking up of Northern Region into more states in order to have true federation in Nigeria, to preclude the permanent subservience of the people of Nigeria to the autocratic ruling caste in the North, and to preserve peace and unity in the country. In short, I have always fought for what I believe, without relenting and regardless of consequences to myself. I have no doubt, and I say this without any spirit of immodesty, that in the course of my political career, I have rendered services to this country which historians and the coming generations will certainly regard as mperishable. Naturally, Sir, in the course of my long, turbulent and active political life, I have attracted to myself a sizeable crop of detractors and political adversaries. Similarly, I have in the course of this long career seen both triumphs and setbacks; and I have met them with equal mind. Peter, not Peter the Apostle, but Peter the hero of Hugh Walpole’snovel entitled “Fortitude” said: “It isn’t life that matters but the courage you bring to it.” After life had done terrible things to Peter he heard a voice that said to him, among other things, “Blessed be all sorrow, hardships and endurance that demand courage. Blessed be these things: for of these things cometh the making of a man.” In the words of Peter, therefore, my Lord, I declare (not that I haveheard a voice): Blessed be your verdict; and I say in advance,blessed be the sentence which your Lordship may pass on me. I personally welcome any sentence you may impose upon me. At thismoment my only concern is not for myself, but that my imprisonmentmight do harm to Nigeria for three reasons. First, the invaluable services which I have hitherto rendered andwhich I can still render will be lost to the country at least for a season. |
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