Akintola, Samuel Ladoke

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Samuel Ladoke Akintola, 1910–66, Nigerian politician, b. Ogbomosho, SW Nigeria. A Yoruba, he held the title of Oloye Aare Ona Kakanfo XIII of the Yoruba. After studying law and public administration in England, he returned to Nigeria in 1949 to help form the Action Group political party under Obafemi Awolowo, who then became premier of the Western Region. During the 1950s Akintola was opposition leader in Nigeria's house of representatives and held several ministerial posts. In 1960 he switched positions with Awolowo, but was removed from office (1962) in a vote of no-confidence. He again became premier of the Western Region in 1963 and was reelected in 1965, this time as leader of the Nigerian National Democratic party. Akintola was assassinated in the Jan., 1966, military coup that deposed President Benjamin Azikiwe.