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The Political Philosophy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Olayiwola Abegunrin

This book examines the political and economic philosophy of Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo and his concepts of democratic socialism (Liberal Democratic Socialism). It studies how Chief Awolowo and his political parties, first the Action Group (AG) 1951-1966 and later the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) 1978-1983, acted in various Nigerian political settings. Chief Awolowo was a principled man, who by a Spartan self-discipline and understanding of himself, his accomplishments, failures and successes, was a fearless leader. He has set an example of leadership for a new generation of Nigerian politicians. He was not only a brilliant politician, but a highly cerebral thinker, statesman, dedicated manager, brilliant political economist, a Social Democrat, and a committed federalist. From all accounts, Chief Awolowo knew the worst and the best, laughter and sorrow, vilification and veneration, tribulations and triumphs, poverty and prosperity, failures and successes in life.

Lexington Books

Pages: 268 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4985-1589-4 • Hardback • September 2015 • $128.00 • (£98.00)

978-1-4985-1590-0 • eBook • September 2015 • $121.50 • (£94.00)

Subjects: Political Science / World / African, Social Science / World / Africa, History / Africa / West, Political Science / Political Process / General

The Political Philosophy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Hardback

eBook

Summary

This book examines the political and economic philosophy of Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo and his concepts of democratic socialism (Liberal Democratic Socialism). It studies how Chief Awolowo and his political parties, first the Action Group (AG) 1951-1966 and later the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) 1978-1983, acted in various Nigerian political settings. Chief Awolowo was a principled man, who by a Spartan self-discipline and understanding of himself, his accomplishments, failures and successes, was a fearless leader. He has set an example of leadership for a new generation of Nigerian politicians. He was not only a brilliant politician, but a highly cerebral thinker, statesman, dedicated manager, brilliant political economist, a Social Democrat, and a committed federalist. From all accounts, Chief Awolowo knew the worst and the best, laughter and sorrow, vilification and veneration, tribulations and triumphs, poverty and prosperity, failures and successes in life.

Details

Lexington Books

Pages: 268 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4985-1589-4 • Hardback • September 2015 • $128.00 • (£98.00)

978-1-4985-1590-0 • eBook • September 2015 • $121.50 • (£94.00)

Subjects: Political Science / World / African, Social Science / World / Africa, History / Africa / West, Political Science / Political Process / General

Author

Olayiwola Abegunrin is professor at Howard University.

Table of Contents

1. The Awo I Knew
2. Nigeria History Before Obafemi Awolowo Politics Began
3. Chief Obafemi Awolowo Early Life
4. Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Decolonization of Nigeria
5. Chief Awolowo and the Formation of Action Group of Nigeria 1950-1951
6. Chief Awolowo as the Premier of Western Region 1951-1959
7. AWO: The Treasonable Felony Charge, The Trial, The Sentence, the Ensuing Crisis and his Release from Jail, 1962-1966
8. Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Minister of Finance and Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council in the Military Administration of General Gowon 1967-1971
9. Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his Political Comeback in the Second Republic
10. Awolowo’s Leadership Style and Political Legacies: An Assessment

Reviews

This book is a masterpiece by one of the most-informed Nigerian scholars. The author has been very painstaking in his analysis of the life, philosophy, and travails of one of the Nigerian Founding Fathers as if he was an insider. It is a must-read book by anyone wishing to understand the Sage who toiled for the Nigerian State but was the most misunderstood.
— Adeoye A. Akinsanya, Nasarawa State University

This is a good book on an extra-ordinarily complex personality. It dispassionately examines the life and personality of an individual who personified a people, and offers new conclusions on one of the African continent’s most controversial leaders. Abegunrin has clearly done a study that will provoke others into looking at the life and times of a great Nigerian patriot.
— Abiodun Alao, King's College London

The Political Philosophy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Olayiwola Abegunrin

The Political Philosophy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

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