International records / OpenAlex research

Crossing the Lines of Class, 1930-39

The challenge posed by the activities of the African Progress Union (APU) had raised to a position of some prominence the question of African representation in the governing of Port Harcourt. Where the British administration preferred a process of nominated representation in accord with imperial policy of political minimalism, some vocal African leaders were insisting on the right to choose leaders through the franchise. In a petition to the Governor in March 1929, the APU had stated pointedly: “We loyal British subjects of his majesty … firmly lay hope on British justice and fairplay in that …