Babatunji Olowofoyeku - Political Career, 1952-1966

Political Career, 1952-1966

Chief Babatunji Olowofoyeku had arrived on the scene of nationalistic political activism by Nigerians in London during his student days. Having had a first hand experience with the social injustices and powerlessness associated with his prejudicial treatment as a student at St. Andrew’s College, he was determined to find the right political platform to fight against the system that created it. Urged by the nationalistic teachings of Herbert Macaulay, he became acquainted with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, leader of the NCNC, through Chief Odeleye Fadahunsi, another Ijesha elder visiting London.

Chief Babatunji Olowofoyeku started his active political career after he returned to Nigeria in 1952. He joined the NCNC and became an executive member of NCNC under Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1954. He was elected as Chairman of Ilesha Urban District Council (IUDC) in 1956, and in the same year won his election to the Western House of Assembly by a landslide majority even without mounting a serious campaign.

During this tenure, he sought to modernize Ilesha to the standards he had witnessed in London City Council (now London County Council) during his studies abroad. And his notable accomplishments in Ilesha included installation of pipe-borne water, electricity, market development, town planning, road constructions, sanitation and council staff welfare.

He was a member of the NCNC delegates’ team to the Nigerian Constitutional Conferences in London of 1957 and 1958, the objectives of which were to seek Nigeria’s Independence from Britain. He was also elected into the Western House of Assembly in 1956 on the platform of the NCNC representing Ilesha Central Constituency. Olowofoyeku was a member of the NCNC Committee on Africa and Foreign Affairs. He also headed the NCNC Legal Defence Committee comprising Chief Richard Akinjide, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Kehinde Sofola, Tunji Ogunbiyi and others.

Olowofoyeku was a distinguished opposition House member even though not a member of Action Group (Nigeria) (AG), the ruling party of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Chief Awolowo’s favorable assessment of the political abilities of Olowofoyeku was that: "He had a good sense of justice and belief in democracy".