SapeleGuy:

Ezekolo, Nkita ara dika gi
Okotie - Eboh,  has been the most successful and brilliant finance minister Nigeria has produced to date, after him comes Awolowo.  
Some people were keen to move him not because they had anything better to offer but because they felt a Mid-Westerner should not be that powerful. Simple. Go and do some research instead of displaying your usual impotent and feral rabble rousing.

Katsumoto:

It was a coup. The Ifeajuna coup was crushed and there were people who could have taken over but were prevented from doing so by Ironsi. It is not clear the role other officers played in this regard.

Obiagu1:

I actually will not know. That angle might or might not be true. But one glaring fact was that Ifeajuna, being Zik's relation, might have done it to protect him from being killed. Who want's to kill his own relation?

Dede1:



It is unfortunate that people tend to throw caution into the winds in order to register a inconsequential point due to tribal pressure. Ironsi’s regime was not ushered into existence due to plebiscite. It was a military regime that has no use for political parties, legislative bodies constituted of elected members and public civil service controlled by local Emirs.

Granted that provinces were introduced due to Decree #34, Nigeria was not caved up into multitude of provinces in the power structure but still remain in the configuration of four regions with military administrators instead of premiers. The elected legislative bodies were replaced by the appointees since political parties were abolished. The political structure in terms of regional and federal jurisdictions did not change. As far as I am concern, change from the regional to provisional to state governments as well as tertiary governments such as County Council to Provisional Government to Local Government Council are pure nomenclatural exercise. At the end of the day, since in 1960, the power of governance in Nigeria flows from the central government and delegated to regional or state governments.

Gowon claimed to have abrogated the decree #34 and yet retained some if not all the vestiges of the decree #34 including National Public Service Commission which is still in use today. Gowon went further to abolish the regional government for state governments hence the 12 states of Nigeria. I cease to engage in dialogue of this emptiness if Gowon’s actions in usurpation of power and creation of 12 states led by appointed both military, police and civil governors or administrators are not antithetic to federalism.

Dede1:

This is another insidious smear campaign against Ironsi. Ironsi was invited to takeover the reigns of government of Nigeria by the constitutional constituted authority. By the time Ironsi was handed over power, he has slight command of the military formations within Lagos and did not know the extent of coup. It must be recall that Nzeogwu was still in control in certain part of northern region.

Negotiation rather the crush immensely contributed to the demise of the January 15, 1966 coup. I can not believe the mentality of certain Nigerians not to grasp there was not any politician cable of handling the affairs of the county except the military. The so-called politicians had no power to congregate, they were sacked from power by Nzeogwu and Co, few of them had been eliminated and score were hiding under some widow’s bed.

EzeUche_:

The biggest mistake that the coupist did was kill Ahamadu Bello. That was a complete mistake on their part. Now he was the most beloved leader out of all the politicians that were killed. That is something I cannot wrap my mind around. Why kill the #2 man to the Sultan of Sokoto?

Eziachi:

The well spoken journalist wasn’t the only person that was in support of the coup. His sentiment represents what was obtained at the time especially in Lagos and most Western cities like Ibadan. In the video, you heard that the coup was cheerfully welcomed in Lagos.

In Lagos and Ibadan for instance, there were huge celebration and street parties when the news filtered that army has taken over and that the prime minister and others especially Okotie Eboh had been killed. In the beginning, most Yoruba viewed the coup as liberation and revenge on the huge humiliation dished out to their great leader, Chief Awolowo by Balewa/ his stooge Akintola.

I remembered when we got to the East from Lagos over the next couple of days, only few people actually knew about the storm going on across the Niger.  Few months later, it becomes an Igbo coup and all those that welcomed and cheered the coup then joined in the savage of Easterners that lasted three years.
And they also cheered with the news of the on going savage!

Andre Uweh:

Those military men did not intend to kill him. He and his family resisted arrest and the penalty for that was death.
The family had not seen such before and took the soldiers for a ride. Till date, anyone who refuses arrest during a military coup pays heavily with his life.

Katsumoto:

Story teller, you have come again. Why don't you tell us what led to the rest of Nigeria in joining the North in fighting against Biafra? The problem with people like you is that you lack objectivity. So you were expecting the West and mid-west to send goodluck cards to Ojukwu after Biafra invaded the west and mid-west? Also, it is savagery because the other side won and you lost. I bet you have also forgotten that part where Biafra dropped bombs on Lagos. When the bombs were dropped, were they hoping to kill livestock?

Eziachi:

The well spoken journalist wasn’t the only person that was in support of the coup. His sentiment represents what was obtained at the time especially in Lagos and most Western cities like Ibadan. In the video, you heard that the coup was cheerfully welcomed in Lagos.

In Lagos and Ibadan for instance, there were huge celebration and street parties when the news filtered that army has taken over and that the prime minister and others especially Okotie Eboh had been killed. In the beginning, most Yoruba viewed the coup as liberation and revenge on the huge humiliation dished out to their great leader, Chief Awolowo by Balewa/ his stooge Akintola.

I remembered when we got to the East from Lagos over the next couple of days, only few people actually knew about the storm going on across the Niger.  Few months later, it becomes an Igbo coup and all those that welcomed and cheered the coup then joined in the savage of Easterners that lasted three years.
And they also cheered with the news of the on going savage!

lakode:

Come to think of it this was back at 1966 , and the complain of corruption is similar to today , hmm Nigeria I doubt this country will move forward

E go better before I was born

E go better after I was born

E go better when I will be an octogenarian

E go better , E go better ,

Andre Uweh:

@Katsumoto: What sort of facts do I require to say that Nigerian civil war ended in Jan 1970. Do I need facts to state that Nigeria gained independence in Oct1, 1960?.
Mind you, the events of 1966-1970 has not really been covered. Facts are still emerging and even some of the facts that have emerged are false. Believe you me.

Katsumoto:

This is how Bello was killed. If they had no intention of killing, why did they go to his house with anti-tank (Carl-Gustav) guns? Why was he shot if he was hiding?

' In the early hours of January15 1966, Nzeogwu decided to turn “Exercise Damisa” into a full-blown military coup. Nzeogwu led a group of soldiers into a bush adjacent to the Premier’s Lodge. Once there Nzeogwu informed the men of their real mission: they were to attack the Premier’s Lodge. Nzeogwu and his men blew open the gates to the Sardauna’s lodge and Nzeogwu personally conducted a search of the residence – hunting for Bello. After losing his temper at his initial failure to locate him, Nzeogwu found Bello hiding with his wives. Bello was shot by Nzeogwu. Bello’s faithful bodyguard who came to defend him with a bow and arrows was also shot, as well as one of his wives who tried to shield him with her body.'

Katsumoto:

This is how Bello was killed. If they had no intention of killing, why did they go to his house with anti-tank (Carl-Gustav) guns? Why was he shot if he was hiding?

' In the early hours of January15 1966, Nzeogwu decided to turn “Exercise Damisa” into a full-blown military coup. Nzeogwu led a group of soldiers into a bush adjacent to the Premier’s Lodge. Once there Nzeogwu informed the men of their real mission: they were to attack the Premier’s Lodge. Nzeogwu and his men blew open the gates to the Sardauna’s lodge and Nzeogwu personally conducted a search of the residence – hunting for Bello. After losing his temper at his initial failure to locate him, Nzeogwu found Bello hiding with his wives. Bello was shot by Nzeogwu. Bello’s faithful bodyguard who came to defend him with a bow and arrows was also shot, as well as one of his wives who tried to shield him with her body.'

Andre Uweh:

Your post did not in any way highlight that he surrendered to the khaki boys. His family and bodyguard shielded him from arrest and what they got was what they bargained for. If a man with a hand on a trigger comes to arrest you, do you refuse arrest. Your post is a clarity to what am saying.
When the military men of Buhari/Idiagbo came for Ekwueme in Dec 1983, did he resist arrest, did he go into hiding, did his family come to shield him?. If he had done that, what do you think would have happened?.

Andre Uweh:

Your post did not in any way highlight that he surrendered to the khaki boys. His family and bodyguard shielded him from arrest and what they got was what they bargained for. If a man with a hand on a trigger comes to arrest you, do you refuse arrest. Your post is a clarity to what am saying.
When the military men of Buhari/Idiagbo came for Ekwueme in Dec 1983, did he resist arrest, did he go into hiding, did his family come to shield him?. If he had done that, what do you think would have happened?.

EzeUche_:

The fact remains that Ahmadu Bello should not have been killed.

All the other politicians were expendable. Okotie-Eboh, Akintola, Balewa etc were all expendable, but Ahmadu Bello was a prize and they should have kept him alive, because he would have proved useful as a bargaining chip.

I will repeat. You do not kill the #2 man for the Sokoto Caliphate. Someone who could have been the Sultan of Sokoto. A direct descendant of Uthman Dan Fodio.

His death spelled the end for the Igbo in the Northern region. Akintola was just a stooge for Balewa.

What I don't understand is why the West reacted in such a manner. Awolowo was freed so why the wahala? Opportunistic?

EzeUche_:

People from the former now defunct Western region, why the reaction?

It is understandable that the north reacted in such a way, but from all accounts, the people of the West supported the coup.

There was no love lost with Akintola, so why the reaction?

I still never understood that.

EzeUche_:

People from the former now defunct Western region, why the reaction?

It is understandable that the north reacted in such a way, but from all accounts, the people of the West supported the coup.

There was no love lost with Akintola, so why the reaction?

I still never understood that. And it is a fair question.

EzeUche_:

The fact remains that Ahmadu Bello should not have been killed.

All the other politicians were expendable. Okotie-Eboh, Akintola, Balewa etc were all expendable, but Ahmadu Bello was a prize and they should have kept him alive, because he would have proved useful as a bargaining chip.

I

tensor777:

Bargaining chip for what? Did Nzeogwu truly know the sort of Pandora box he was opening with the selective liquidations. None of these guys had trials or convictions remember,
so who is to say that the rebels were not motivated by personal grudges or sectional sentiment.
I certainly don't buy that your curious idea that these elected politicians were expendable.

tensor777:

Bargaining chip for what? Did Nzeogwu truly know the sort of Pandora box he was opening with the selective liquidations. None of these guys had trials or convictions remember,
so who is to say that the rebels were not motivated by personal grudges or sectional sentiment.
I certainly don't buy that your curious idea that these elected politicians were expendable.

EzeUche_:

People from the former now defunct Western region, why the reaction?

It is understandable that the north reacted in such a way, but from all accounts, the people of the West supported the coup.

There was no love lost with Akintola, so why the reaction?

I still never understood that. And it is a fair question.

Dede1:


@PhysicsMHD and Co

Please let be known that Ironsi did not Abolish Regional Governments in Nigeria. There has never been a time federalism flourished in Nigeria. During the so-called first republic, the armed forces and police were controlled by the central government, the most resources of the regions were controlled by federal government and all the air and sea ports are controlled by the government at the center. I guess some folks have serious reading to perform.

There were four regions in federation under Ironsi regime and operated as when under Tafawa. The major difference was the military governors replaced the regional premiers.

Gowon abolished the regions and introduced 12 states in 1967.

The unification decree actual has little or nothing with the system of government. It unified the civil service and vacated the authority of Emirs as found in Local Govt. Authority. The instances of this action terrified the northerners who had benefited from the nepotism perpetrated by machinations of Local Govt. Authority. Most of the beneficiaries of the mentioned nepotism were the coup plotters of July 29, 1966 who wore the uniform of Nigerian army officer which they are not qualified to wash. They really thought that unification of civil service code was a tactical approach to kick them out of the army.

Katsumoto:

You can carry on till kingdom come but Nigeria had an elected democracy and the murder of a few politicians should not lead to the truncation of the nascent democracy. If it were so, every time an American president was asassassinatedthe military would take over. As long as a nation has citizens who have been elected or are capable of being elected, the military has no right or business in taking over. No soldier, I repeat, no soldier has the requisite training or right to lead a country. We only have to look at successive military governments to know that African soldiers are not equipped to lead their countries.

Based on your weak argument, I put it to you that you only argue that Ironsi was right to take over because he was Igbo. Since the NPC rejected Mbu as the choice of NCNC for the position of PM preferring its own candidate (Dipcharima) Orizu preferred to handover to Ironsi because he was a fellow Igbo. That is the reason the coup was called an Igbo coup. You can't eat your cake and have it. For all the moral arguments that supported the coup, it was tarnished by its manner and execution. The subsequent actions of Igbo sons also lent credence to that point.

Why do some Igbo sons think that they are the only ones who are smart? Do you think that the rest of us are fools. Igbo sons went and killed every prominent soldier and politician who wasn't Igbo. Another Igbo son capitalised on the opportunity offered by the murder prominent citizens. Then Igbo politicians equally sought to capitalise on the situation but when that failed, Orizu preferred to handover to Ironsi another Igbo.

Na tree wey near tree na hin make monkey dey smart.