Back to: History Primary 5
Hello, my brilliant Afrilearn superstar! I hope you’re having a fantastic day. Have you ever taken part in a class election, where students vote for a class captain or prefect? Just like in school, a country also needs elections to choose its leaders. Today, we are going to learn about Nigeria’s first-ever national election, a very important event in our country’s history!
Nigeria Held the First National Election
Imagine if your school wanted to choose a new head prefect but had never held an election before. How would they decide who should lead? They would probably organise a voting system where students pick the best candidate. That’s exactly what happened in Nigeria in 1959, when the country held its first national election to choose leaders who would guide Nigeria toward independence.
Before this, Nigeria was ruled by the British, and most decisions were made by them. But as Nigeria prepared to become independent, it needed to elect its own leaders. This election was a major step in Nigeria’s journey to becoming a free and independent country.
Nigeria’s first national election was held in 1959, just one year before the country gained independence on 1st October 1960. The election was organised to choose members of the House of Representatives, who would form the government and lead Nigeria after the British left.
The main political parties that contested the election were:
- Northern People’s Congress (NPC) – Led by Sir Ahmadu Bello but represented by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in national politics.
- National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) – Led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
- Action Group (AG) – Led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
Results of the Election
- The NPC won the most seats in the House of Representatives, making it the most powerful party.
- The NCNC came second, followed by the AG.
- Since no single party had enough seats to rule alone, the NPC and NCNC formed a coalition government.
- As a result, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa of the NPC became Nigeria’s first Prime Minister in 1960.
Significance of Nigeria’s First National Election
- It was the first time Nigerians voted to choose their own leaders at the national level.
- It prepared Nigeria for independence from British rule.
- It helped create a democratic system, where leaders are chosen by the people.
- It set the foundation for Nigeria’s future elections and governance.
Imagine if a school had always been controlled by a headmaster from another country. Then, one day, the students are asked to vote for their own leaders—that would be an exciting and important moment, right? That’s how Nigerians felt during the 1959 national election.
Before this election, the British made most of the political decisions, but after Nigerians voted, they finally had a say in their own leadership. This was a huge step toward freedom and self-rule.
Conclusion:
Nigeria’s first national election in 1959 was a historic event that allowed Nigerians to choose their leaders for the first time. It was a crucial step toward independence, which officially happened on 1st October 1960. The election was won by the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became Nigeria’s first Prime Minister. This election set the stage for democracy in Nigeria.
Evaluation:
- In which year did Nigeria hold its first national election?
- Why was this election important for Nigeria?
- Name the three major political parties that contested in the election.
- Who became Nigeria’s first Prime Minister after the election?
- What is a coalition government, and why did Nigeria form one in 1959?
Wow! You are doing an incredible job learning about Nigeria’s history! Remember, knowledge is power, and great leaders like you must understand their past to shape a brighter future. Keep up the fantastic work, Afrilearn superstar! I can’t wait to see you in the next lesson. Keep shining!
School Admin? Grow your school faster with Africa's most trusted school management softwareGet more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on Android [DOWNLOAD]
Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on iPhone [DOWNLOAD]