The National Unionist Party, with a parliamentary majority in the legislative councils, was able to form a self-governing government. The Umma Party won 22 seats in the House of Representatives, and the Southerners achieved the same. The Umma Party, along with the Southerners, became the official parliamentary opposition. The election results were harsh on the Umma Party, and the boiling feelings and anger reached a point where those who sympathized with the party members feared it would lead to a kind of unrest that would hinder the stability required by the situation to implement the agreement during the transitional period. In this turbulent atmosphere, the leadership of the Umma Party issued a violent statement attacking Egypt and bitterly and painfully condemning its interference in the election battle and the election committee's inability to protect the independents during the battle. The party then announced at the end of the statement its non-recognition of the election results and its intention to take further steps. Here, the wisdom of Imam Abd al-Rahman and his natural readiness to act at every stage became evident. With his sharp insight, he saw that this direction by the Umma Party could lead the country into hardship and chaos, and then lead to gains that were, for him and for the people in general, the harvest of a lifetime's work. He addressed the party leaders and calmed them with firmness and wisdom, stating that the election results did not pose a grave danger to the country's future and that the National Unionist Party, with its slim parliamentary majority, could not decide Sudan's fate alone. The Umma Party was a strong force. His Eminence then said in that private council with the leaders of the Umma Party that he was not despairing of uniting the Sudanese people on independence. He then advised the party leaders to maintain their unity with the Southern deputies and to prepare to lead a disciplined and firm opposition within Parliament, in the press, and among the people throughout the country. His Eminence then met with the Southern deputies and advised them as he had advised the leaders of the Umma Party. He then sent his messengers and messages to his men in the provinces, urging them to remain calm and respect law and order, and informing them that his responsibility to proclaim independence and raise its flag was greater than ever before. He also urged them to be prepared to proceed on the path to independence, no matter how arduous and difficult the path might be. His Eminence also called for a general conference of his representatives in the various provinces of Sudan to plan the future with them. With this wise leadership, Imam Abd al-Rahman put an end to the anxiety that had swept through the ranks of the independents after the elections. The country began to fully awaken, organize itself, and prepare for the next step. The parliamentary leadership for the government was Mr. Ismail al-Azhari, and the opposition chose Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Mahgoub to be the leader of the opposition. The government and the independent opposition prepared their parliamentary bodies, and the government and the opposition prepared to navigate the transitional period. 128