In the First Republic, the official opposition party was the ..........

Analyze the question: The First Republic (1960-1966) was Nigeria's first period of independent parliamentary government. The question asks which party served as the official opposition in the federal parliament.

Explain the concept: After the 1959 federal elections, no single party won an outright majority. The result was:

• NPC (Northern People's Congress): the largest party, led by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister. It formed a coalition government with the NCNC.
• NCNC (National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons): the coalition partner, with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe as Governor-General and later President.
• AG (Action Group): led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who became Leader of the Opposition in the federal House of Representatives.

Step-by-step solution:

1. The NPC led the government, so D is out.
2. The NCNC was in coalition with the NPC, so A is out.
3. NEPU was a small northern party allied with the NCNC. It was not the main opposition, so B is out.
4. The Action Group was the only major party outside the governing coalition, and it formed the official opposition. Chief Awolowo was Leader of the Opposition until he was jailed in 1963.

Answer: The Action Group, which is option C.

Tip: Remember the pattern "NPC + NCNC = Government, AG = Opposition." Also note that from 1964 the alliances changed to the NNA (NPC-led) and UPGA (NCNC and AG-led), but the classic JAMB answer for the First Republic opposition is the Action Group.