Samuel Ikoku made history as the first Nigerian to defeat his father, Alvan Ikoku, in an election. This unprecedented event occurred on March 15, 1957, during the Eastern House of Assembly elections. Samuel’s political career included significant involvement in the independence movement and various political parties, reflecting the complexities of Nigeria’s evolving political climate.
In a landmark event in Nigeria’s political history, Samuel Ikoku became the first child to defeat his own father in an election, a cultural taboo in the nation. On March 15, 1957, during the Eastern House of Assembly elections, Samuel triumphed over his father, Alvan Ikoku, by a mere 59 votes. Alvan, well-known for his image on the ₦10 note, faced a significant electoral defeat to his son in this unprecedented scenario.
Samuel Ikoku, born on July 24, 1922, to Alvan Azinna and Grace Ikoku in Arochukwu, Abia State, was an academically distinguished individual. He graduated from Achimota College and later attended University College, Southampton, where he became actively involved in Nigeria’s independence movement, contributing articles to the West African Pilot and supporting prominent leaders such as Nnamdi Azikiwe.
After completing his education, Samuel joined the radical faction of Nigeria’s independence movement and co-founded the United Working People’s Party in 1952. The party was disbanded the following year by the government, which labeled it subversive. Despite this setback, he connected with the Action Group, contributing significantly to his political landscape during the First Republic.
Ikoku was known for his candid commentary on national affairs, which earned him a controversial reputation. He frequently criticized the Legislative Council, which included his father as a member, advocating for immediate independence from colonial rule. His political career flourished when he won the regional House of Assembly election in 1957, representing the Action Group as the opposition leader, while his father contested under a rival party.
In 1962, he relocated to Ghana just before a crisis in the Western Region House of Assembly led to emergency measures and left him implicated in the Treasonable Felony Trial alongside other political figures. While in Ghana, Ikoku engaged in political activism by organizing party branches and becoming an educator at Nkrumah’s Ideological Institute.
During the Nigerian Civil War, Samuel Ikoku opposed secession and took on roles in the East Central State government, including Commissioner for Economic Development and Health. Later, he joined the People’s Redemption Party under Aminu Kano and became the Secretary-General, aiming to uplift the marginalized.
Ikoku was the vice-presidential candidate in the 1979 elections but later shifted his political stance. He advised Shehu Shagari and supported military involvement in politics, serving under the regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. Samuel Ikoku passed away in 1997, leaving behind a complex legacy.
Samuel Ikoku’s remarkable journey highlights a rare instance in Nigerian politics where familial ties were set aside in favor of democratic competition. His contributions to Nigeria’s independence and his subsequent political evolution underscore the dynamic nature of political ideologies in the country. Throughout his career, Ikoku remained a pivotal figure, navigating through various political landscapes until his passing in 1997.
Original Source: businessday.ng
