One of the following political parties produced Nigeria's first Prime Minister_______

Analyze the question: It asks which party produced Nigeria's first Prime Minister. This is about the First Republic (1960-1966).

Key concept: At independence in 1960, Nigeria operated a parliamentary system. The Prime Minister was the head of government and came from the party (or coalition) with the majority in the Federal House of Representatives. The President (later, Governor-General) was a ceremonial head of state.

Step-by-step solution:

1. In the 1959 federal elections, the Northern People's Congress (NPC) won the most seats, because the North had the largest population and so the most seats in the House.
2. The NPC formed a coalition with the NCNC. The NPC's Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the Prime Minister (first as head of government before independence in 1957, then as Prime Minister of independent Nigeria on 1 October 1960).
3. The NCNC's Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the Governor-General and then the first President (1963), a ceremonial role.
4. The Action Group, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, formed the opposition. Awolowo was Leader of the Opposition.
5. The UPN (Unity Party of Nigeria) belongs to the Second Republic (1979-1983), when Nigeria had a presidential system, so it could not have produced a Prime Minister.

Answer: The NPC produced Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria's first (and only) Prime Minister.

Tip: Remember the First Republic pairing:

• NPC → Balewa → Prime Minister
• NCNC → Azikiwe → President (ceremonial)
• AG → Awolowo → Opposition leader

Also, whenever you see UPN, NPN, or NPP, think Second Republic and the presidential system, so no Prime Minister.