Remi Fani-Kayode; Deputy Premier of Nigeria’s Western Region from 1962-67. He attained this second position to the premier when an alliance was formed between members of the National Council of Nigeria Citizens (NCNC), (his party), and dissidents from the Action Group (United People Party – UPP – that had S. L. Akintola. Before this time he was the leader, Ife Divisional Council (1955-58) where he enjoyed great renown for his effort in the legal war which led to the judgement on the forest reserve in favour of Talaka Parapo association of Ile-Ife. Prior to the Western Region crisis, Fani Power had been the leader of opposition in the Western House of Assembly (1961-62). In 1958 he moved a successful motion for independence in the Federal Parliament and he asked that Nigeria should be given her independence on April 2, 1960. Incidentally, an extension of six months was asked by Tafa Balewa as the British required more time[i].
In 1962, Federal Government created emergency rule and made Koye Majekodunmi an administrator, secretly, Akintola walked his way back to office as Premier. In November 1962, his emissaries went to members of the House of Assembly, asking them to join the party of Akintola and Fani-Kayode[ii]. Fani-Kayode fell out of favour with Ife people when he pitched his tent with NNDP, which he helped midwife. And in the Second Republic, he chose to be a member of the National Party of Nigeria – where he was the National Vice Chairman[iii]. Remi Fani-Kayode prayed for Nigeria’s unity and stability in a moving final message days before he eventually died died in a London Hospital, on Sunday, October 22, 1995.
[i] ThisDay October 5, 2010
[ii] Nation December 10, 2014
[iii] FAME October 31, 1995
