Adunni Oluwole

Adunni Oluwole (1905-1957) was a Nigerian pre-independence politician and human rights activist who vehemently opposed independence. She was born in Ibadan, Oyo State and was raised in Aroloya, Lagos State. She was an itinerant preacher whose talent in public speaking contributed to her fame. She delved into politics in 1954, and founded the Nigerian Commoners Liberal Party. She died in 1957 after a brief illness.

Early life and education Adunni Oluwole was born in Ibadan in 1905 to the family of an Ibadan warrior. After some family squabbles, her mother moved with her and her siblings to Aroloya, Lagos where they lived close to St. John's church. Adolphus Howells, the Vicar, contributed to the family's development while they remained in the area. She lived with Howells, who enrolled her in St. John's School, Aroloya.

Political career Oluwole's foray into politics began with the general workers strike of 1945; moved by the plight of the poor, she supported the workers, mobilizing women supporters and donating monetary gifts though she was not a rich woman.

Oluwole was an anti-independence activist and opposed the vote for independence when a date was first proposed in 1956. Her reasons were that the politicians who were given power abused it and were simply African colonialists.

In 1955, she went before the Olubadan in Ibadan to air her political views, but she was shut down by Adegoke Adelabu who called her a harlot and threatened to hit her with broomsticks. She was later banished from Ibadan and relocated to Akure where she continued to spread her anti-independence message.

Oluwole was also an advocate for women's rights and she continuously demanded women's participation in politics in constitutional conferences.