Unsung Revolutionary

This is a short biography of one of Nigeria’s most radical politicians, Albatan Yerima Balla, whose full story has never been told. It provides a succinct description of his remarkable life, right from his birth on a memorable day, his difficult childhood and his adventure during the Second World War to his foray into politics and his performance in public service. It also unveils the ideas he and his party, the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), represented as well as their successes and failures in the fight against tyranny. It equally reveals how he skilfully used his extraordinary relationship with Malam Aminu Kano and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe—and his good rapport with Sir Ahmadu Bello—to help avert a scenario that could have led to balkanisation of Nigeria.