Thread by @YorubaHistory

The Action Group (AG) was a Nigerian political party established in Owo on March 21st, 1951.

It was dissolved on January 16th, 1966.

#Yoruba

The announcement in Nigerian newspapers on 21 March 1951 of the birth of the Action Group took the country by storm. Those who later became covert and overt adversaries of the party heralded its debut in glowing terms.

The Daily Times, in an editorial comment headed ‘Awakening In The West’, hailed it as ‘first in the field with a definite plan for winning seats under the new Constitution.’ The paper described the objective of the Action Group as ‘admirable and deserving of support’.

The West African Pilot of 29 March 1951 (under the Managing Editorship of Dr. Azikiwe), in an editorial comment, wished the Action Group the best of luck.

Image: Action Group membership card

These seven persons leading members of the Action Group were:

1. Mr. S. O. Shonibare, then Manager UAC (Technical) Limited, Lagos; now Federal Publicity Secretary of the Action Group and Managing Director of the Amalgamated Press of Nigeria Limited;

2. Chief Abiodun Akerele, Barrister – at – Law; former Member of the House of Representatives and Balogun of Oyo;

3. Mr. S. T. Oredein, then Shorthand Typist in the employ of the British American Tobacco Company Limited and Secretary of the BATC Workers Union; former Principal Organising Secretary of the Action Group, Western Region;

4. Mr. Olatunji Dosumu, then Journalist in the employ of the Service Press Limited; former Administrative Secretary of the Action Group, Western Region;

5. Mr. J. Ola Adigun, then Editor of Morning Star; former Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Western Region;

6. Mr. Adeyiga Akinsanya, Manager of the African Press Limited – Printers and Publishers of the Nigerian Tribune; and

7. Mr. Ayo Akinsanya, Chemist and Pharmacist, former Executive Director of the Western Nigeria Development Corporation.