A prominent political figure, Olusegun George, has reflected on the legacy of Nigeria’s early nationalist era, stating that ethnic identity was not the primary factor in political leadership during the time of the First Republic.
Speaking in an interview with The Legacy Series, George recalled the role of Nnamdi Azikiwe in pre-independence and early post-independence politics, particularly in Lagos political circles. He said that Azikiwe was widely respected across ethnic lines and was seen more as a unifying figure than as an ethnic representative. He stated, “Nobody saw Azikiwe as Igbo, they saw him as Papa Macaulay’s only son, and we always won.”
He explained that during that era, political alliances were often built on ideology, personality, and nationalist struggle rather than ethnic divisions, adding that figures like Azikiwe played a central role in shaping a united political front. His remarks have since drawn attention in discussions about Nigeria’s evolving political identity and the shift from early nationalist unity to modern-day ethnic politics.