Northern People's Congress

Northern People's Congress (NPC)

Northern People’s Congress (NPC) was formed in 1951. It started as a cultural organisation known as Jamiyya Mutaneh Arewa. The party was dominated by the Hausa/Fulani and Islam was the main focus. It ruled Northern Nigeria between 1951 and 1965. The leader was the late Sir Ahmadu Bello with Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as deputy.

The party produced the first Prime Minister of Nigeria.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES OF NPC

• To sanitise the North and purse its regional autonomy.
• To contribute to the development of the North politically, economically and otherwise.
• To educate the Northerners on their political and civil responsibilities.
• To form a common formidable front for the North.
• To help fight for self-government.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF NPC

• Awakened political consciousness in the North.
• Produced the first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
• Contributed to the attainment of the independence.
• The NPC also controlled the Federal Government in coalition with NCNC in the First Republic.