By Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu
I considered it pertinent to lend a voice to the columnist of Guardian Newspaper on March 8 2024 by a seasoned journalist, Abdu Rafiu in which he gave an insight and an overview of the putsch of 15 January 1966. The writer clamoured for reconciliation from hearts and wounded souls. He sought to establish the objective and aim of the first military coup in Nigeria primarily led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. The discourse made sincere effort to answer whether it was an Igbo Coup or not. Mainly, the root cause of the coup was the lifestyle of politicians and the occupation of those in government at the time.
Major political upheavals in Nigeria started in the West as could be seen from the mass cross-carpeting in 1952 after NCNC gained massive victory in the elections. Some people still wonder why the British loved the North so much. The Sardauna of Sokoto never supported nor wished for Nigeria’s Independence. He has often told Zik: “Ba mu so ya, zu ba mu wa iji ba” – ‘we never grow, let the British rule us’.
The big man from the North seeing the desperation in Awolowo, played a prank on the premier of the defunct Western Region, Samuel Akintola, which reversed major decisions in Action Group during the 1962 National Convention in Jos. Ultimately, it resulted in ‘Operation We ti e’.
The crisis, rioting and arson from the Western Nigeria continued during the Federal Elections of 1964 and Regional Election of 1965. The disturbance from the west affected the national peace and governance. Equally, it snowballed into the first military Coup in January 1966. The Sardauna of Sokoto had requested that Awolowo be brought to Kano prisons so that he would have a way to eliminate him. Zik had vehemently refused citing climatic weather conditions and environment. Nothing short of these started other several problems in Nigeria.
Just like the civil war, the main coup plotters were led by personal vindictiveness, sheer aspersion and vengeance on their perceived enemies. There was not any tribal sentiment in the planning of the coup. Kaduna Nzeogwu became terribly aggressive and violent in dealing with the North because of his experiences as an army instructor at the training depot.
Alhaji Ahmadu Bello has shown himself to be very vaunted, bigoted and corrupt posing a security risk that led to his elimination. While young brilliant cadets were sent to Sandhurst for training before any promotion, the Sardauna of Sokoto had always brought in young illiterate Fulanis to be promoted in the army.
Emmanuel Ifeajuna on his part, made a lot of mistakes being driven by jealousy and insecurity. His flexibility led to the killing of the prime minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari on his wedding night during the Lagos operation. Some others were also killed but could never be a justification to overload the Igbos. Nevertheless, to say that the vision of the putschists was the elevation of Awolowo to lead Nigeria at that time is nothing but a satire.
Major General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi, having survived the coup, took over the Supreme Military Council and coordinated the decisions of the governing council. Aguiyi Ironsi was stoned in the North and rejected by the Igbos because he wanted to be in good books of the British colonial masters. The 1966 Coup not having casualties in the East was purely circumstantial and due compliance.
Still, it is useful to find out whether the Easterners had contributed to the present divisive, corrupt, failed and rotten Nigeria. Col. Ben Gbulie in his insider account, reported how Nzeogwu eliminated the bloody tyrant from the North. T.Y Danjuma and his group in a reprisal; has narrated how Aguiyi Ironsi was executed.
The Operation Damisa had Victor Banjo and one other Yoruba who joined later yet it never prevented the massacre of Igbos in the North. Hardship and suffering has not and would not unite Nigerians because the tribal sentiments are strong. The present problem of Nigeria is not sequel to any putsch. Many hungry Nigerians are in an unemployment quagmire.
Conclusively, historical events, cultural traditions and social movements all contribute to the present state of society. If we fail to understand the past, the gory state of Nigerian government may be vague to us. The advancements from the past lay the foundation for the innovations of today and tomorrow.
Nigeria’s Political History has cast a long shadow on the country’s current challenges. The colonial legacy sowed the seeds for ethnic and regional tensions that continue to plague Nigeria today. Decades of military rule (1966-1999) stifled political development and entrenched corruption which still persist in Nigeria politics.
Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from Awka, Anambra State
