Arole Awolowo, Progressive Leaders and Progressive Stability | By Timilehin Kolade

Arole Awolowo, Progressive Leaders and Progressive Stability

Timilehin Kolade

Whenever the late Chief Bola Ige, the Cicero of Esa-Oke, appeared at a public gathering, the atmosphere could change almost instantly. The crowd would chant: “Ige de! Ige de ooo! Arole Awolowo, Ige de oo!” It was more than an expression of admiration for an extraordinary orator. It was a political invocation of a tradition. Ige had become one of the most recognisable custodians of the Awolowo political tradition, having participated in the Action Group, later served as governor of old Oyo State on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria, and remained deeply associated with Awoist politics.

To understand the significance of calling Ige Arole Awolowo, one must understand what Awolowo represented. Awoism was not simply about winning elections or producing politicians who could speak eloquently. The Action Group and subsequently the UPN were associated with a programme of social transformation, federalism, mass education, welfare and democratic socialism. The UPN, in particular, presented a coherent programme of socioeconomic change inspired by Awolowo’s political philosophy. Progressivism therefore possessed an ideological content: politics was supposed to be an instrument for improving society and expanding human possibilities.

This is where the contemporary progressive movement must confront an uncomfortable contradiction. Many Awoists, including some of the finest political minds produced by that tradition, were often quick to invoke Awolowo’s ideals whenever they were confronted with difficult political choices. Yet the real test of progressivism is not how frequently Awolowo’s name is mentioned; it is whether political conduct is consistent with the principles for which he stood. Historical experience demonstrates that even the progressive camp was not immune to internal contradictions. The Action Group crisis of the 1960s, particularly the Awolowo-Akintola conflict, revealed how questions of power, succession, loyalty and political control could threaten the cohesion of a movement founded on larger ideals. Ige himself was a young participant in that turbulent period.

Progressive stability therefore requires more than ideological nostalgia. It requires the capacity to subordinate temporary political interests to enduring institutional principles. A progressive leader cannot celebrate Awolowo in rhetoric while practising exclusion, vindictiveness, political opportunism or intolerance in action. Neither can Awoism become a convenient vocabulary for sanctifying decisions that contradict the very values it claims to defend.

The greatest tribute to Awolowo, therefore, is not the chant of “Arole Awolowo” but the preservation of the political culture behind the name. Bola Ige’s legacy reminds us that progressive politics must combine intellect with courage, principle with pragmatism, and ambition with restraint. Progressive stability is achieved when leaders understand that political movements survive not merely because of their heroes, but because succeeding generations remain faithful to the principles that made those heroes worthy of remembrance.