Who is an Awoist?

By Kunle Olatunji

By the time this article is properly digested, many of us would have been able to judge who really is an Awoist.

Undoubtedly, many of us have attributed to ourselves what we are not and it is not very uncommon to hear every Dick and Harry say they are Awoists and even use the late sage’s name to campaign during elections without understanding the political philosophy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Pa Awolowo did not go into politics without preparation and even setting an agenda. His entering into politics was informed by doggedness and total determination. Papa himself confirmed this, “as a little boy whenever I see an almanac carrying the picture of Herbert Macaulay I always felt thrilled. There was a caption ‘defender of the native rights and liberty’ underneath the picture. That phrase struck a cord… I think it was from then that I thought I would also like to do something like Herbert Macaulay”. Awo’s entering into politics was to better the lot of the masses. An attempt would therefore be made to x-ray the doctrine of Awoism which has been bastardized by politicians especially in the South West. This would give us a clear vision as regards those who are claiming they are Awoists. From many published works of Awolowo and series of his lectures, it is not at all difficult to conceptualize Awo’s thoughts or ideas and doctrines.

In Chief Omoboriowo’s book, “Awoism”, he posited that Awoism is derived from two compound words namely “Awo” and “ism”. While the word Awo is the short form of Awolowo, on the other hand, “ism” is a doctrine or a philosophical system of ideas or a theory.

Therefore, Awoism is the totality of the theories or doctrines and philosophy associated with the personality known as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a politician of no mean repute. Standing as the major pillars of Awoism are socialism and the regime of mental magnitude. In discussing Awoism however, we shall briefly touch upon other relevant stands of Awoism.

The basic tenet of socialism is the belief in the state control of the means of production, exchange and distribution. What however is in dispute has to do with the methods of achieving socialism. Chief Awolowo believed in democratic socialism but rejected the class struggle, violent revolution and the dictatorship of the proletariats or of any class for achieving socialism in Nigeria. In fact, Awo’s great mentor, Mahatma Ghandi, the late Indian leader was an apostle of positive non-violence. Awo himself confirmed this; ‘my belief in socialism as an ideal has not been on the writing of Marx or Lenin. The methods of attaining socialism can differ from place to place, the mistake many people make is that they mistake the method for the ideal itself. I believe we can be constructive and democratic in the introduction of socialism”.

Awo advocated in his democratic socialism personal freedom and belief in God. Vital to Awoism is the concept of mental magnitude. This concept emphasized self-discipline as an essential requirement for meaningful social change. Those who aspire to lead must possess this attribute if they are to make any worthwhile contribution to the society. For a leadership that lacks ideas, mental alertness and self-discipline would never lead well. This was emphasized in Awo’s book, “Thoughts on Nigerian Constitution”, written while he was at the Calabar Prison. According to Awo, the regime of mental magnitude is cultivated when we are sexually disciplined; abstain totally from alcoholic beverage and tobacco and completely vanquished the emotions of greed and fear. Awo does advise the leaders ‘let him that would move the world first move himself. Only those who master themselves become masters of others.”

Nigerian leaders Awo further instructed should possess comprehension, mental magnitude and spiritual depth. Adding “…  of all tyrannies known to man, the tyranny of the flesh is the worst, and only those who have subdued this tyranny can successfully lead others out of the bondage of ignorance, poverty and disease.” Awoism means self-discipline and courage, which in fact are related to the regime of mental magnitude. To wit, an Awoist must be disciplined, radiate courage, must be knowledgeable and exhibit leadership by example. In Awo’s book “My March Through Prison” it was recorded that at the height of his treasonable felony trial, Awo did not despair and refused to commit suicide but rather said “only those who fear crisis and tribulation or have done things of which they are terribly ashamed or are out of their minds, or have no faith in the ultimate triumph of truth- only those commit the cowardly act of suicide. I thank God I am none of these.”

He said further in his rare exhibition of courage: “the greatest glory is not in ever falling but in rising each time we fall.”

Highly important to Awoism is full employment, free education and free health services for the people. All these were taken care of when Awolowo was the Premier of the old Western Region. His watchword was the improvement of the lives of the masses through his cardinal programmes which were well implemented. Awoism recognizes commitment to hard work. In this regard, Awo said “I have never regarded myself as having a monopoly of wisdom, the trouble is that most people in public life and in position of leadership and rulership are spending whole days and nights carousing in clubs and or in the company of men in shady character and women of easy virtue, I like a few others, I am always busy at my post working hard at the country’s problems and trying to find solutions to them.”

For Papa Awolowo, facts are not only important, facts are sacred. According to him, “I have one habit which I consider to be good. And that is, I always make sure of my facts before I take decisions. That is why I have boasted that all the facts in my statements and speeches have never been faulted at anytime by anyone. They may abuse me but they cannot fault my facts.”

Awo abhorred corruption; hence an Awoist must not take gratification for any reason. He must be a shining example at all times and must be trusted and loyal. To this end, Pa Awolowo enjoined his followers thus, “never receive gratification from anyone that would make you unable to look straight at his or her face whenever you meet thereafter.”

Therefore, whoever calls himself an Awo’s disciple must follow this injunction. Therefore, in order to keep Awoism alive, Awolowo’s concept of his political family must be widened to reflect Awo’s address in December 1983 at Ogun State Hotel, Abeokuta; now Gateway Hotel, where Awo spoke of the dialectical movement towards excellence. According to Dr. Yemi Faroumbi in his lecture titled “Ige and Afenifere: The Challenge of Unification in The Awolowo Political Family”, Awolowo was said to have explained at length the inevitable and continuous struggle between the thesis and anti-thesis political forces. He stated that a struggle would result in the exposition, which he called the synthesis; this would represent the state of excellence. This synthesis according to Awolowo would embody the good persons in his political party, the UPN and all other political parties, NPN, GNPP, NPP, PRP and NAP. That synthesis represents the ultimate Awolowo political family, which would accommodate all good Nigerians irrespective of their state, ethnic or regional background. Therefore, Awolowo’s political family must never be restricted to Yorubaland. This is contrary to the doctrine of Awoism.

Awo’s political family must not be reduced to the level of political intolerance, vindictiveness and political mischief.

It is now time for Awo’s political family to come together and the likes of Jakande and Babatopes of this world must be carried along as they have served Papa Awolowo sincerely and better than most self-acclaimed Awoists. The essential thing for Awo’s political family as an integral part of Awo’s dream is to create a platform that can nominate candidates for and to win presidential elections as the aim of every political party is to win election and control the government.

Those who seek to limit the relevance of Awoism and by extension, Awo’s political family to those who physically interacted with the revered sage during his lifetime are doing great injustice to Awolowo and Nigeria. Chief Obafemi Awolowo himself, we must recall through strategic alliance with the United Middle Belt Congress (UNBC), Borno Youth Movement and Dynamic Party amongst others conferred a national outlook on the Action Group (AG). Through that, non-Yoruba people such as Ibrahim Imam, Joseph S. Tarka, Isaac O. Laahu, Dokotori came within the Action Group influence.

*This write up had earlier appeared in The Mandate