Nairaland Forum

Aigbofa:

Keep on dreaming dede1. It took a Yorubaman to produce a primer for Igbo language in 1857.

seanet02:

No wonder Wole Soyinka a Yoruba Man is a Nobel Laureate while Mr thing fall apart is fighting to be recognized

Good jabs boys!!! But you have not been exposed to the true stories.


@seanet02  If you do not see the dirty intercontinental politics behind the Nobel Laureate crap, I can not help you. It does not occur to you as fraud that a man behind a playwright unknown to kids in neighboring Cameroon was awarded Noble prize and a man behind a novel, arguably the best in the world, has been shunned of the so-called Noble prize.

It is part of politics to be humble, especially if you operate in an atmosphere of mistrust. Its a major reason the colonialists gave power to the northerners. No matter how brilliant you are, you just have to be humble.

I'm sure the Yoruba have their reasons for holding Awolowo in such high regards, but his attitude towards other Nigerians left very little to be admired about the man. I believe he saw everything through a tribal lens, unfortunately, and other Nigerians could see this clearly. He came off as someone who was too desperate for power, and would readily compromise whatever moral standings he had, to achieve power. He fell out of favor with the North, and was thrown into prison by Tafawa Balewa for allegedly planning a coup in 1962 (I think), but the Igbo were not pleased with what seemed like northern interference in southern politics, given the support Akintola enjoyed from the North. For all they knew, the east could be next. With Awolowo in prison, Akintola as the new premier decided to conduct elections, to strengthen his party's hold in the region, so Dr. M.I Okpara, the premier of the eastern region sent the renowned Journalist, Mazi UKonu from Enugu to counter the expected announcement of falsified results from Akintolas camp. Ukonu risked his life, sneaking out from the location where all the journalists were required to stay and announce the rigged resuts provided by Akintola's camp. He set up in Awolowo's house (in his library), from where he broadcast all the results of the election as provided to him by the Action Group(AG) field agents. Meanwhile Akintola's loyalists combed all of Ibadan looking for the source of the broadcast, but Ukonu, who was with Wole Soyinka in Awolowo's house, managed to escape back to the east when it was all said and done. The AG carried the day.
     Read the excerpt below, as narrated by a Nigerian First Republic minister, as to how the Igbo looked out for Awolowo's interest while he was imprisoned, as he was regarded as the true leader of the Yoruba, and a victim of northern conspiracy. Also read his response to the plight of the Igbo after the civil war. Lest we forget, Ojukwu released him from prison, where he was languishing and met with him, according him all the respect he deserved, but he reciprocated all this by quickly joining Gowon's cabinet, and doing all he could during the war, to prove his allegiance to the north by spiting the Igbo at any chance he had.

Interview:

A member of Nigeria's first republic Federal cabinet, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi have accused the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of ingratitude to the Igbos immediately after the Nigerian civil war.

In an interview granted to a Nigerian national weekly, "The Nation On Sunday" and monitored by chidi opara reports, Chief Amaechi recounted how Igbo leaders immediately after the civil war sent a delegation to Chief Awolowo, who was the Minister of Finance and Vice-chairman of the Federal Executive Council, to help the Igbos recover their landed properties seized by the Federal government in Port Harcourt and other major townships.

The reason for sending the delegation, according to the 81-year-old first republic Minister of Aviation was that when Chief Awolowo was sent to prison in Calabar, which was part of Eastern Nigeria by the Federal administration of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in 1962, the Eastern Nigerian government led by Dr. M.I Okpara, an Igbo, in collaboration with other Igbo leaders persuaded an Igbo landed property owner to vacate his property near the Calabar prisons for the imprisoned politician. Chief Awolowo, according to Chief Amaechi stayed in the prison in daytime and in the property at night, The ex-zikist also revealed that the Eastern Nigerian government placed Chief Awolowo's wife on a Minister's salary, allowances and other benefits.

"So we thought he would remember these things, a delegation was sent to him because he was in charge of Finance and Vice-chairman of the Federal Executive Council", Chief Amaechi told the weekly. The former anti-colonial activist continued, "he said, you know I am a lawyer. I have a chamber at Apapa. If you want me to help you in the matter, go and pay a sum of two million pounds into my chamber at Apapa and bring the receipt to me". "And the Igbos who were given only twenty pounds, where would they collect and assemble two million pounds at that time in 1970?", the elder statesman queried.

Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi revealed further that in frustration, the delegation left. He described Chief Obafemi Awolowo's action as "the height of ingratitude to a people who gave him succour at his crisis period."

Awolowo was jailed because the AG was arming itself. The "conspiracy" aspect of it is the claim that he actually wanted to overthrow the federal government at all costs in order to install himself as a dictator, which seems very ridiculous. Whether that conspiracy was really only a "northern" conspiracy is questionable.

Instead of Akintola to be removed, or his supporters arrested after the debacle in Ibadan with the throwing of chairs at the house of assembly meeting etc., vocal NPC and NCNC members supported Akintola. It would be strange therefore for Awolowo to see NCNC members as supporting him or looking out for his interests.

Awolowo credited the then director of Nigerian prisons (who was not from the Eastern region) with his transfer from a prison in the north to Calabar prison. Later, Ironsi was the one who was to release Awolowo, but he was killed before his directive could be implemented. Gowon carried this out and got the "credit" for releasing Awolowo. The claim that Ojukwu released Awolowo is strange, considering that he did not do anything in this regard until Gowon announced that Awolowo was to be pardoned. The "credit" for releasing Awolowo would/should have actually gone to Ironsi,  but he was murdered.

PhysicsQED:

Awolowo was jailed because the AG was arming itself. The "conspiracy" aspect of it is the claim that he actually wanted to overthrow the federal government at all costs in order to install himself as a dictator, which seems very ridiculous. Whether that conspiracy was really only a "northern" conspiracy is questionable.

Instead of Akintola to be removed, or his supporters arrested after the debacle in Ibadan with the throwing of chairs at the house of assembly meeting etc., vocal NPC and NCNC members supported Akintola. It would be strange therefore for Awolowo to see NCNC members as supporting him or looking out for his interests.

Awolowo credited the then director of Nigerian prisons (who was not from the Eastern region) with his transfer from a prison in the north to Calabar prison. Later, Ironsi was the one who was to release Awolowo, but he was killed before his directive could be implemented. Gowon carried this out and got the "credit" for releasing Awolowo. The claim that Ojukwu released Awolowo is strange, considering that he did not do anything in this regard him until Gowon announced that Awolowo was to be pardoned. The "credit" for releasing Awolowo would/should have actually gone to Ironsi,  but he was murdered.

Please change NCNC to NNDP. It was UPGA (NCNC and AG) against NNA (NPC, NNDP, NDC and United Middle Belt Congress)

Awo was to be sent to Nigerian prisons in Bauchi where a plan has already been hashed for the Hausa, Kanuri or Fulani prison officials to see to death of Awo in prison. However, some Igbo officials in high places resolved to send Awo to the east. It is very laughable to a conjecture that suggests Gowon released Awo from prison. During the era in discuss, Gowon and Nigeria have no iota of authority to send post-office mail to eastern region talk less of issuing an order to release Awo from prison. Even Gowon’s position as a doorman was not recognized in eastern region of Nigeria.

-@PhysicsQED Indeed, you are right that Gowon ordered his release. I had the impression that he was released after Biafra was declared, but that is not the case as he was released Aug 03 66'. Ok, I'm not quite sure of the state of the nation at that time.

- Nobody said the Easterners transferred him to Calabar. At least I did not say so here.

He lost because he said he would probe the military, OBJ and other military cohorts had skeleton in the cupboard. Nevertheless, who is suffering now? Not Awolowo'a family and not OBJ,

Dede1:


Please change NCNC to NNDP. It was UPGA (NCNC and AG) against NNA (NPC, NNDP, NDC and Middle Belt United Party)

I think it makes sense as it is. I'm not sure we're referring to the same year. I had individuals like Remi Fani-Kayode in mind when I was thinking of NCNC supporters of Akintola.

Awo was to be sent to Nigerian prisons in Bauchi where a plan has already been hashed for the Hausa, Kanuri or Fulani prison officials to see to death of Awo in prison. However, some Igbo officials in high places resolved to send Awo to the east.

Yeah,  I think you're right actually. I had earlier read somewhere else where he specifically credited Frank Giwa-Osagie with saving him from being poisoned, but there was more to it than just that:

http://books.google.com/books?id=mNNaXZgi0FsC&pg=PA141

(from p. 141 - 147)

It seems Awolowo gave Zik credit as soon as he found out.

It is very laughable to a conjecture that suggests Gowon released Awo from prison. During the era in discuss, Gowon and Nigeria have no iota of authority to send post-office mail to eastern region talk less of issuing an order to release Awo from prison. Even Gowon’s position as a doorman was not recognized in eastern region of Nigeria.

I did not conjecture that Gowon released Awo from prison.

Gowon pardoned Awo, and he had been kept in prison prior to that.

Ironsi was to carry out this pardon earlier, but of course, he was killed.

Kc3000:

  I'm sure the Yoruba have their reasons for holding Awolowo in such high regards, but his attitude towards other Nigerians left very little to be admired about the man. I believe he saw everything through a tribal lens, unfortunately, and other Nigerians could see this clearly. He came off as someone who was too desperate for power, and would readily compromise whatever moral standings he had, to achieve power. He fell out of favor with the North, and was thrown into prison by Tafawa Balewa for allegedly planning a coup in 1962 (I think), but the Igbo were not pleased with what seemed like northern interference in southern politics, given the support Akintola enjoyed from the North. For all they knew, the east could be next. With Awolowo in prison, Akintola as the new premier decided to conduct elections, to strengthen his party's hold in the region, so Dr. M.I Okpara, the premier of the eastern region sent the renowned Journalist, Mazi UKonu from Enugu to counter the expected announcement of falsified results from Akintolas camp. Ukonu risked his life, sneaking out from the location where all the journalists were required to stay and announce the rigged resuts provided by Akintola's camp. He set up in Awolowo's house (in his library), from where he broadcast all the results of the election as provided to him by the Action Group(AG) field agents. Meanwhile Akintola's loyalists combed all of Ibadan looking for the source of the broadcast, but Ukonu, who was with Wole Soyinka in Awolowo's house, managed to escape back to the east when it was all said and done. The AG carried the day.
     Read the excerpt below, as narrated by a Nigerian First Republic minister, as to how the Igbo looked out for Awolowo's interest while he was imprisoned, as he was regarded as the true leader of the Yoruba, and a victim of northern conspiracy. Also read his response to the plight of the Igbo after the civil war. Lest we forget, Ojukwu released him from prison, where he was languishing and met with him, according him all the respect he deserved, but he reciprocated all this by quickly joining Gowon's cabinet, and doing all he could during the war, to prove his allegiance to the north by spiting the Igbo at any chance he had.

Interview:

A member of Nigeria's first republic Federal cabinet, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi have accused the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of ingratitude to the Igbos immediately after the Nigerian civil war.

In an interview granted to a Nigerian national weekly, "The Nation On Sunday" and monitored by chidi opara reports, Chief Amaechi recounted how Igbo leaders immediately after the civil war sent a delegation to Chief Awolowo, who was the Minister of Finance and Vice-chairman of the Federal Executive Council, to help the Igbos recover their landed properties seized by the Federal government in Port Harcourt and other major townships.

The reason for sending the delegation, according to the 81-year-old first republic Minister of Aviation was that when Chief Awolowo was sent to prison in Calabar, which was part of Eastern Nigeria by the Federal administration of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in 1962, [b]the Eastern Nigerian government led by Dr. M.I Okpara, an Igbo, in collaboration with other Igbo leaders persuaded an Igbo landed property owner to vacate his property near the Calabar prisons for the imprisoned politician. Chief Awolowo, according to Chief Amaechi stayed in the prison in daytime and in the property at night, The ex-zikist also revealed that the Eastern Nigerian government placed Chief Awolowo's wife on a Minister's salary, allowances and other benefits.

"So we thought he would remember these things, a delegation was sent to him because he was in charge of Finance and Vice-chairman of the Federal Executive Council", Chief Amaechi told the weekly. The former anti-colonial activist continued, "he said, you know I am a lawyer. I have a chamber at Apapa. If you want me to help you in the matter, go and pay a sum of two million pounds into my chamber at Apapa and bring the receipt to me". "And the Igbos who were given only twenty pounds, where would they collect and assemble two million pounds at that time in 1970?", the elder statesman queried.

Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi revealed further that in frustration, the delegation left. He described Chief Obafemi Awolowo's action as "the height of ingratitude to a people who gave him succour at his crisis period.[/b]"

Where is the source to this story?
If you dnt have a source, you can as well expect nobody to believe this.

@PhysicsQED, I gathered resourcefully that Ironsi give the order for the release of Awo before his was killed. The plank of either Gowon pardoning or receiving credit for Awo’s release was concocted by Saro Wiwa.

It is ludicrous for someone to credit the relaese order to a person who could not execute such order. Again, Gowon had no authority to release a housefly in eastern region at the time.

@Relax101 :

http://chidioparareports.blogspot.com/2011/01/news-report-chief-obafemi-awolowo-was.html

http://www.eslnetworld.com/webpages/politics/2010/apr/26/politics-26-04-2010-002.htm

If you want to rule Nigeria, do not be desperate.

Example of people who were desperate to rule Nigeria - Awo, MKO, Ishaiya Bamaiyi (after Abachas demise) & Atiku. On the other hand, those who did not display desperado traits clinched the job and rightly so - Zik (Governor General), Tafawa Balewa (Prime Minister), Obasanjo (both military and civilian rule), Abdulsalami Abubakar and of course our very own Jonathan.

Another reason why Awo lost was lack of cohesion among Yoruba folks where there was always a handful of "oversabi" people with contrary views about an Awo presidency. Funny enough MKO who himself frontlined this anti-Awo camp (that included Richard Akinjide) had his own kinsman from that same Ogun State, Ernest Shonekan quietly putting the knife through the bubbling June 12 mandate many years later in a remarkable twist of fate.

In spite of all, got nothing but love for dear old 9JA!!!!!!!!

an igbo man will surely be president of nigeria come 2015 by god's grace. amen.

An Igbo man WILL SURELY BE THE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA COME 2015 by God's graces. Amen

It is obvious that a lot of people are putting forward irrelevant opinions without considering the facts. According to the rules of the election and the constitution, to avoid a run-off election a candidate must win 2/3 of the 19 states which is 13 states. Shagari won 12 states but was declared winner winner, against the rules of the election and consitution, because of the argument put forward by Akinjide that Shagari won 2/3rds of the 13th State. OBJ, tha coward that he is, quickly handed over power to Shagari. That election should have gone to a run-off between Awo and Shagari.

Dede1:


Please change NCNC to NNDP. It was UPGA (NCNC and AG) against NNA (NPC, NNDP, NDC and United Middle Belt Congress)

Awo was to be sent to Nigerian prisons in Bauchi where a plan has already been hashed for the Hausa, Kanuri or Fulani prison officials to see to death of Awo in prison. However, some Igbo officials in high places resolved to send Awo to the east. It is very laughable to a conjecture that suggests Gowon released Awo from prison. During the era in discuss, Gowon and Nigeria have no iota of authority to send post-office mail to eastern region talk less of issuing an order to release Awo from prison. Even Gowon’s position as a doorman was not recognized in eastern region of Nigeria.       

Do you need another history lesson? Were there any NNDP members in the Western House in 1962? In fact was there a party called NNDP? The brouhaha in the Western house was caused by NCNC members such as TOS Benson, Oke (who threw the first chair) and Ebubedike (who broke the mase). The breaking of the house, was particularly significant because it meant that Akintola couldn't be impeached.

You should have told us the name of the Igbo officials who were involved. What are there names? Don't they have names?

Gowon released Awo from prison. Ironsi was in power for 6 months; are you suggesting that it takes more to effect the release of a prisoner? The facts of the matter are that Awo was released from prison when Gowon was Head of State. Ironsi was already dead and there was no way he could have effected Awo's release from the dead. Even if Ironsi gave the order; Gowon could have still ignored it if he wanted.

Akanbi_edu:

It is part of politics to be humble, especially if you operate in an atmosphere of mistrust. Its a major reason the colonialists gave power to the northerners. No matter how brilliant you are, you just have to be humble.

Are you referring to the politics practised on Mars and Jupiter? There are far too many successful politicians who have been/are arrogant.

Katsumoto:

Are you referring to the politics practised on Mars and Jupiter?

Yep. Nigeria qualifies as those alien planets. He refers to politics as played in Nigeria; the politics of sycophancy. And not just politics. The dumber you are, the better. You move up real fast being a puppet in Nigeria.

I really don't know what to say when smart folks like PhysicsQED is not giving any credit to Ojukwu for Awo's safe return to Yorubaland. I wonder what would have happened if Ojukwu had transferred Awo to Enugu prison or simply changed the guards at Calabar prison which was very much within his power as governor of eastern region.
Dede1 repeatedly points this out, but his point was ignored. I'm laughing because, history is supposed to be approached with utmost honesty, else nothing is learned.

^^^
I really don't understand that argument and I mean that sincerely. If you are claiming Ojukwu was responsible for his release, and not Ironsi or Gowon, then are you also claiming Ojukwu was responsible for NOT releasing him earlier?

Ironsi was the first to pardon Awolowo, but this was right before Ironsi was killed, so it never got out and became "official". Later Gowon did it "officially".

Why exactly did Ojukwu wait until Gowon said it was okay before he did anything? What is it exactly that you and Dede1 are seeing in that situation that I'm missing? Because I don't see the merit of that argument.

Posted by: PhysicsQED

Why exactly did Ojukwu wait until Gowon said it was okay before he did anything? What is it exactly that you and Dede1 are seeing in that situation that I'm missing? Because I don't see the merit of that argument.

You avoided the key point we are raising, and that is that if Ojukwu had wanted, he could have ensured that Awo never made it back to Yorubaland in one piece, and there is nothing Gowon could have done about that  because Gowon was NOT in control of Eastern Nigeria in August 1966. Gowon only gained control of Eastern Nigeria in January 1970. The point is simple enough.

Onlytruth:

Posted by: PhysicsQED
You avoided the key point we are raising, and that is that if Ojukwu had wanted, he could have ensured that Awo never made it back to Yorubaland in one piece, and there is nothing Gowon could have done about that because Gowon was NOT in control of Eastern Nigeria in August 1966. Gowon only gained control of Eastern Nigeria in January 1970. The point is simple enough.

In August 1966, what would have been the rationale behind Ojukwu ensuring Awo did not make it out of Eastern Nigeria in one piece?

Mind you, this was before the war and everything else for which you blame Awo today.

^^^^^^^

Malice? just for fun because he could?

^^

The point is that Eastern politicians were partly responsible for Awo serving his jail term in the East instead of the North.
In continuation of that spirit, Ojukwu ensured he was safe in the East and returned home safely.
The sense of betrayal stem from that feeling that he (Awo ) quickly forgot all those.

Onlytruth:

^^

The point is that Eastern politicians were partly responsible for Awo serving his jail term in the East instead of the North.
In continuation of that spirit, Ojukwu ensured he was safe in the East and returned home safely.
The sense of betrayal stem from that feeling that he (Awo ) quickly forgot all those.

Awo was in Gowon led Nigerian government as Finance Minister and Vice Chairman of the ruling council, if you were in his shoes what would you have done? Be a traitor to the government you are serving or what? In one of his books, he said he met Ojukwu to discuss the need for Nigeria to stay as on and avoid the war, but Ojukwu did not accept. So he discharged his duty loyally to the person he was working for at the time.

Was he also working for Gowon when he invented the 20 pound policy AFTER the war? I doubt that.

Onlytruth:

^^

The point is that Eastern politicians were partly responsible for Awo serving his jail term in the East instead of the North.
In continuation of that spirit, Ojukwu ensured he was safe in the East and returned home safely.
The sense of betrayal stem from that feeling that he (Awo ) quickly forgot all those.

Your point is Awo should be grateful to Igbos for "helping" him serve his jail term in the East, right?
Was there a kind of agreement between Eastern politicians and the government that Awo would serve his term in the East instead of the North?

And why should Awo be grateful for this?

@Aigbofa

Me I tire o, Awo should be grateful for serving a prison sentence on trumped up charges, he should be grateful that people were carrying out their duties. I find it funny that our brothers from the East on this forum hate a man who was a finance minister in a government and his people far more than they hate those who actually killed them, I can not recollect one single property of an Easterner that was confiscated in the West, in actual fact, it is in PH that you find this rampant, yet they do not hate PH people, it is Yorubas that are hated.

@Aigbofa
I love this conversation because the same reason Igbo wanted to save Awo from the Northerners who wanted to poison him to death in the North is the idea of a united Southern Nigeria which UPGA represented.
That move proved very unwise as history has shown.

Let me ask you this:

Was there a point in the period between Awo's freedom and 1971 that Awo felt a need to reward the Igbo for his safety and the support accorded him in his time of incarceration in Eastern Nigeria?

Please I'll like to know what Awo did to cut us some slack.

@Onlytruth

Why should Awo reward the Igbo for his safety, were you guys meant to kill him?

Onlytruth:

I love this conversation because the same reason Igbo wanted to save Awo from the Northerners who wanted to poison him to death in the North is the idea of a united Southern Nigeria which UPGA represented.
That move proved very unwise as history has shown.

Let me ask you this:

Was there a point in the period between Awo's freedom and 1971 that Awo felt a need to reward the Igbo for his safety the support accorded him in his time of incarceration in Eastern Nigeria?

Please I'll like to know what Awo did to cut us some slack.

Awo was in a Federal prison. All prisons in Nigeria are under the control of the Federal Government. There is no evidence to support the assumption that the people who looked after Awo were all ibos.

Why do you think Awo could have been poisoned in the North and not in the East? Frankly, he could have been poisoned anywhere if the objective was to kill him.

All these stories about Igbo saving Awo are just that. Stories.

Posted by: hercules07

@Onlytruth

Why should Awo reward the Igbo for his safety, were you guys meant to kill him?

I can't believe anyone would ask this question.
Please with all due respect, have you ever read a book about what happened to Eastern soldiers and civilians in all the areas outside of eastern region between July and October 1966?
Let me tell you what happened. There was CONTINUOUS killing of Eastern sons and daughters (soldiers and civilians) in Yorubaland and North, and even midwest.
In such a scenario, why should we allow any non-easterner to leave the east safely?
Dude, duh!

And it wasn't only Awo that Ojukwu allowed to leave the East, he did same to Northerners, even though they were busy disarming and killing Eastern soldiers and civilians returning to the East.

Onlytruth:

Posted by: hercules07
I can't believe anyone would ask this question.
Please with all due respect, have you ever read a book about what happened to Eastern soldiers in all the areas outside of eastern region between July and October 1966?
Let me tell you what happened. There was CONTINUOUS killing of Eastern sons and daughters (soldiers and civilians) in Yorubaland and North, and even midwest.
In such a scenario, why should we allow any non-easterner to leave the east safely?
Dude, duh!

And it wasn't only Awo that Ojukwu allowed to leave the East, he did same to Northerners, even though they were busy disarming and killing Eastern soldiers and civilians returning to the East.

Even under this situation what do you think would have happened if Awo had been murdered in the prison because there was a general riot and ibos were killed.

Think about what you are saying for a minute. There were riots because Hausa and Yoruba millitary and civilian leaders were murdered. But, to cap it all you went after another Yoruba leader who was in prison in your region and you kill that one too.
How probable is that?