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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Hegemony and Spatial Politics: The Press and the Struggle for Lagos in Colonial Nigeria
Author:Adebanwi, WaleISNI
Year:2004
Periodical:Africa Development: A Quarterly Journal of CODESRIA (ISSN 0850-3907)
Volume:29
Issue:4
Pages:75-91
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:Nigeria
West Africa
Subjects:journalism
political action
elite
capitals
colonialism
History and Exploration
Urbanization and Migration
Politics and Government
Literature, Mass Media and the Press
politics
political science
Press and politics
Lagos (Nigeria)
imperialism
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/24484552
Abstract:Hegemonic and counter-hegemonic politics are inherent in most human groupings, particularly where such politics are geared toward the appropriation of space. Against this backdrop, the present article attempts to explain how an elite and counter-elite dichotomy in a social formation arose in the struggle for power. Contentious micro-politics in Lagos, the capital city in colonial Nigeria, with the attendant pull and push of elite bargaining for power and prominence, is examined, particularly as the dual claims to consent and dissent were reflected in the nationalist newspapers of the era. Two rival newspapers, the 'West African Pilot' owned by Azikiwe, the leader of the NCNC (National Council for Nigeria and Cameroons), mainly Ibo, and the 'Daily Service', representing the position of the Action Group, mainly Yoruba, led by Obafemi Awolowo, are analysed in this article. They represent rival claims to 'ownership' and 'primacy' in spatial politics, and are used to explicate a theoretical position that captures these struggles within the framework of the creation and institutionnalization of a 'pattern of group activity' in which idealised forms that cohere with the interests of the (ethnic) group are leveraged into 'commonsensical' ideas in the pursuit of the group's political, economic and social interests. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract, adapted]
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