Zikist movement was a radical political group founded in February 1946 by young enthusiastic Nigerian nationalists. Among its founding members were Nduka Eze, Kola Balogun, Abiodun Aloba, G. Onyeagbula, M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu, M Aina, G. Ebo, J. Inoma, and S. Aderibigbe. In its founding, the group pledged a positive action to defend Nnamdi Azikiwe against attacks by opponents and to take on the repressive nature of colonial rule by seeking its end.

The group was multi-ethnic and took some inspiration from Nwafor Orizu writings in his book 'Without Bitterness' and in Azikiwe's own book, Renascent Africa. Orizu coined the term zikism, a vague term that he describes as not racialism, jingoism, anarchism, monistic nor sarcastic but a social life that strifes to redeem Africa from social wreckage, political servitude and economic impotency.

Between 1948 and 1949, during the movement's height in popularity, it was able to re-awaken nationalistic political interest among Nigerians at a time of a lull in activity and was partly responsible for the introduction of a new constitution in 1951: the Macpherson Constitution. The movement was also able to attrack dedicated young people who sacrificed their careers for a righteous political cause, among this men were Raji Abdallah, who was let go of his work in the Post and Telegraph and Adesanya Idowu

Background

Prior to the formation of the group right after the end of World War 2, political ideologies favoring self determination had taken root in many African countries and British colonies not excluding Nigeria where militant unions and the market women association had expressed deep dissatisfaction with many aspects of colonial rule. However, the associations were not under a united front and no systematic plan was ongoing to unite the groups until the formation of N.C.N.C under Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Also, the prominent nationalist movement of the pre war period, the Nigerian Youth Movement had weakened due to internal wrangling followed by the exit of Azikiwe and Akinsanya in which a period of pettiness, jealousy, tribalism in the Nigerian nationalist movement trailed the crisis.The movement origins can be traced to a student association formed in 1945 at the Yaba Higher College. The Zikist movement was later launched on February 16, 1946 and called for an immediate end to colonial rule. By early 1947, it had 29 branches all over Nigeria where many of the members were admirers of Azikiwe.

Zikist movement

The movement leanings were socialist and anti-colonial in outlook and in its first years acted as a youth wing of the N.C.N.C. The movement came to be more prominent in the nationalist movement in 1948 at a time the self determination movement had scored victories in India with the granting of the country's independence in 1947. Also, a riot in Ghana had resulted in some political concessions being given to the nationalists in the country. Preparatory measures began in 1948 for recruiting youths and other interested members in an active anti-colonial group.

The movement then began issuing attacks on colonialism and ensured that their ideas became more potent and remained in the public consciousness with the use of strikes and boycotts and propaganda through lectures, publishing a newsletter and revolutionary pamphlets including a famous one written by Osita Agwuna called 'A call to Revolution'. In a call for revolution, the movement asked for direct participation from Nigerian school proprietors who have suffered from grants-in-aid to inculcate contempt for the British authorities among their pupils, withholding taxes by tax payers, students abroad should take courses in military science and for young people to join in ending tyranny through militant tactics.

The movement not only directed their frustration against British interest and persons but African nationals and organizations who were viewed by them as stooges of imperial interests.In 1949, leading members of the movement were arrested and charged for sedition by the colonial authorities after an unsuccessful attempt to kill the colonial Chief Secretary by a suspected member of the movement. In December of that year, the movement had called for the establishment of a provisional Nigerian government to work out an agreement with Britain for the basis of the country's unity and planning a central date for civil disobedience. In 1950, the movement was banned. In 1963, the movement was unbanned.

The Zikist Movement Today

Whenever we sing the stanza, "The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain, the Zikist Movement is one of those heroes past we evoke, now present in the www.ZikistMovement.com initiative. You can become a member of this patriotic initiative by registering as a member there. Show the light and the people will find the way.

Source: http://nigerianwiki.com/Zikist_movement

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Noted.

The first president of the Zikist Movement was Kola Balogun, a Yoruba. Another president was Mallam Habib Raji Abdallah, an Arewa. The Movement was multiethnic in nature, showing that Zik had a charisma that transcended ethnic groups.