Fejoku:

After the first coup happened, it was recorded that people all across Nigeria were jubilating that a corrupt government has been weeded out including the Tivs that were been slaughtered under the directive of Ahmadu Bello. All of a sudden, the narrative changed that Igbos wanted to Lord over other tribes. It was no longer about young patriotic soldiers cleaning the system. This marked the beginning of the infamous pogrom of the 60s. Tens of thousands of Igbos were slaughtered all across Northern Nigeria in which smaller tribes in the middlebelt today actively participated. There were fewer attacks against the Igbos in the West too. This was the beginning of the naive support for the fulanis to take over Nigeria.
What really prompted the coup in the first place? From I read, there was a plan of a jihad spearheaded by Ahmadu Bello. He was directly controlling the Prime minister Tafawa Balewa at the time. He ensured that Awolowo was sent to jail to pave way for the conquest of the West. He openly boasted about the destruction of the AG upon the incarceration of Awo. The Tiv uprising as written in mainstream media was more of a revolt against the constant killing of their people for refusing to be subservient to the fulani. The same continues today. Therefore, taking him out of the scene should have been accepted as a big achievement every peaceful tribe but that wasn't the case.
Fast forward to Ironsi's government who couldn't improve on the situation giving the tempo of the time. He failed to exploit the situation and balance the power play as it should be which bought time for the middlebelt tribes to unite with the bruised fulanis to get back to power. Gowon and Theophilus Danjuma are still alive and should be speaking out currently except if they are satisfied with the present situation. Ojukwu came into the scene and called for a confederation at Aburi, Ghana. If Gowon was to have stuck to the gentlemen agreement, perhaps the story today could have been palatable. As we all know, he didn't and a war was forced on the Igbos and other eastern groups. Other tribes passionately enlisted to go and fight for the fulanis thinking they're fighting for Nigeria. We all know the level of destruction both materially and socially the war had on us all. The middlebelt tribes only started to get the idea what was amiss after Gowon was booted out of power. This led to the Dimka coup and also to the Orkar coup. However, they couldn't have the backbone to effectively break through the fulani control likely because Igbos(a powerful group) has been edged out of the power equation. All these other groups didn't know that by the single act of joining forces to edge our Igbos, they have also put themselves in a disadvantaged position. Today, we all can confirm this point. Will other tribes be willing to vote in an Igbo president? Will they wholeheartedly work with Igbos to free themselves from the killing fields of the fulanis or will they continue to pretend as more people are slaughtered daily?

You tactically sidestepped the part where all leading figures in the other regions (both military and civilian) were killed, while those of Igbo origin were spared. And you wonder why others hate and distrust you bums. You guys are delusion in living form.

Mathoj:


Setting the records Straight ... How Fulanis created the hatred for Igbos

"Let the truth be told. The People involved in that so called 1966 “Igbo coup” were:
1. Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu (Midwest Region Igbo)
2. Major Adewale Ademoyega (Western Region – Yoruba), author of “Why we struck”
3. Capt. G. Adeleke (Western Region – Yoruba).
4. Maj. Ifeajuna (Midwestern Region – Igbo).
5. Lt. Fola Oyewole (Western Region – Yoruba), author of “The reluctant rebel”.
6. *Lt. Robert (Bob) Egbiko* (Midwestern Region – Ishan).
7. Lt. Tijani Katsina (Northern Region – Hausa/Fulani).
8. Lt. O. Olafemiyan (Western Region – Yoruba).
9. Capt. Gibson Jalo (Northern Region – Bachama).
10. Capt. Swanton (Northern Region – Middle Belt).
11. Lt. Hope Harris Eghagha (Midwest – Urhobo).
12. Lt. Dag Warribor (Midwest – Ijaw)
13. 2nd Lt. Saleh Dambo (Northern Nigeria -Hausa)
14. 2nd Lt. John Atom Kpera (Northern Nigeria-Tiv).
The reason for calling the 1966 Coup an Igbo exercise is because the government of Nigeria has refused teaching Nigerian History in our schools. And core North has been busy misinforming Nigerians that the 1966 coup was an Igbo coup.

Or another reason could be that other regions lost their leaders in the coup, while Igbo leaders strangely survived it?

Dpharisee:

Fulanis know that Igbos are the biggest obstacle to them overrunning the rest of Nigeria, their biggest fear is Igbo president whom they feel can undo the current warped system without fear

That might just be it. Igbo is the only viable check I see in this country to rise to the occasion in one voice.

But where there's strength we also found our weakness, the Igbo spirit, though much civil, is equally domineering.

We are looking for the balance of power in the stakeholders that will take the people to the dream future.

Networkingprof:
We need to know.

I believe they didn't bring Islam to Nigeria. But here we are, it's like their "enlightenment" to us.

Where did we miss it?

not much is known about them and that's a word for stealth. Yoruba are the most exposed. Other tribes come in among them, learn their language easily but how many yorubas can speak Fula or Ibo?
Fulani people are aggressive and relentless. They feed on fear by their gruesome killings. When it's reciprocated, they will soften trust me

pongwa:
not much is known about them and that's a word for stealth. Yoruba are the most exposed. Other tribes come in among them, learn their language easily but how many yorubas can speak Fula or Ibo?
Fulani people are aggressive and relentless. They feed on fear by their gruesome killings. When it's reciprocated, they will soften trust me

Yes that's true. They couldn't overran bornu during the juhad, they have great opportunity to establish their hegemony over the habe Hausawa and they seized it.

The cunny Britain feared the humanity and the possibility of the reinsurance of the black people that enlightened southern people could muster, they won't naturally have supported us to succeed.

It's the spell that binds us up here.

The British. Without the British , they are nothing.

Networkingprof:


That might just be it. Igbo is the only viable check I see in this country to rise to the occasion in one voice.

But where there's strength we also found our weakness, the Igbo spirit, though much civil, is equally domineering.

We are looking for the balance of power in the stakeholders that will take the people to the dream future.

Many Nigerians are also scared that they can't match the Igbo spirit of threading where serpents dread, it may be uncalled for but they will need assurance that they won't go from Fulani to Igbo dominance if they go along with supporting Igbo

SeeThisLoser:
The British. Without the British , they are nothing.

Absolutely.

They are cunny but not invincible. The north is the Brits preferred steward and the demography of the Nigerian state favours them.

If they were to have a republic of northern Nigeria, infringement on the south would be met with force. But we're going to be here until we're matured to take on the art of nation building.

Imagine the imagination of the agitators for Yoruba nation: before now, Igboho was invincible owing to the efficacy of Yoruba charms. They will stand by him any day for this onerous reason.

Now, many will abandon him on the ground that his juju has just failed. Then they will say, "ijoba amuni moogun". However, that's not true, you just have to know how to fight your course legitimately.

Hoping on juju power in this age and time is deceleration to the slave trade era. Who did juju ever help? Only wisdom and knowledge for nation building will help.

If government is greater than people's will, we should still be under colonial captors by now in a world where one system of government last forever.

Dpharisee:

Many Nigerians are also scared that they can't match the Igbo spirit of threading where serpents dread, it may be uncalled for but they will need assurance that they won't go from Fulani to Igbo dominance if they go along with supporting Igbo

That's true, the Igbo don't favourably get along politically with the Yoruba, and the Hausa except they are at a tight corner. The Yoruba leader, Awo tried to work with the Igbo, Zik.

This shows Yoruba can drop their ambition and play second fiddle to either Igbo, Fulani or Hausa. This is a virtue on its own if well channelled.

What matters most is success, not process. What we are looking for is ultimately success. But we can be jinxed in the process if process takes all the attention.

Networkingprof:


The last part make sense, the opening part is how you as an Igbo man choose to remember. I am Yoruba and my sentiments may come across to you as prejudice.

If the Igbo have a credible candidate, the south should be wise enough to get the fellow to power. And isn't Soludo and other great politicians to be found in Igbo land?

There might be an inherent "thing" scaring the electorates from making an Igbo man a viable candidate for the office of the president. We all lose at the end, but the Igbo lose more.

They are technocrats, business minded and great folks, but the Igbo cohesion to an Igbo cause is more like Fulani cohesion to Fulani course.

The Hausa and Yoruba are more reason we are still together. These two groups are kind of open to common nationhood, the Yoruba are indifferent to Nigeria. The Hausa as well.

The problem with continual existence of Nigeria is the Fulani and the Igbo. If Fulani will live and let others live, the Igbo will calm down. This is though impossible.

The minorities are not agitative as much. If however the Igbo has been passive as were the Yoruba, the south could have been totally transformed to "Sabo" Emirates.

You might continue opposing his judgement but history supports his assertions, we are humans and can easily fall for a gimmick, but we can only remedy a situation when we accept mistakes. I doff my hat for the British working through northerners and fulanis for a masterstroke in execution of their plans, using weaknessess observed in the indigenous population, namely envy to pit others against the Igboes, they brought the leader of the other major ethnic group close to government, while operating from behind but made sure control remains with the northerners because of this; (YORUBA, Lagos has for 20 years opposed every Governor). Lugard's report, "I have spent the best part of my life in Africa But after some 29 years, and after nearly 12 years as Governor here, the yorubas are the (most seditious and disloyal of any people I have met" check the phrases in bracket, it means the queen will loose control of Nigeria, ie Nigeria will truly be independent.
They also sold the rhetoric that it was an igbo coup for one sole reason; The people of predominantly Eastern Nigeria are fiercely rebellious with no regard for authority. Though industrious and religious, lugard said ("in deference to the objectives of her majesty and the crown, they are highly dangerous to be trusted with power" check the sentence in bracket, it means that the queen will loose control of Nigeria, ie Nigeria will be truly independent.

Setting the records Straight ... How Fulanis created the hatred for Igbos

"Let the truth be told. The People involved in that so called 1966 “Igbo coup” were:
1. Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu (Midwest Region Igbo)
2. Major Adewale Ademoyega (Western Region – Yoruba), author of “Why we struck”
3. Capt. G. Adeleke (Western Region – Yoruba).
4. Maj. Ifeajuna (Midwestern Region – Igbo).
5. Lt. Fola Oyewole (Western Region – Yoruba), author of “The reluctant rebel”.
6. *Lt. Robert (Bob) Egbiko* (Midwestern Region – Ishan).
7. Lt. Tijani Katsina (Northern Region – Hausa/Fulani).
8. Lt. O. Olafemiyan (Western Region – Yoruba).
9. Capt. Gibson Jalo (Northern Region – Bachama).
10. Capt. Swanton (Northern Region – Middle Belt).
11. Lt. Hope Harris Eghagha (Midwest – Urhobo).
12. Lt. Dag Warribor (Midwest – Ijaw)
13. 2nd Lt. Saleh Dambo (Northern Nigeria -Hausa)
14. 2nd Lt. John Atom Kpera (Northern Nigeria-Tiv).
The reason for calling the 1966 Coup an Igbo exercise is because the government of Nigeria has refused teaching Nigerian History in our schools. And core North has been busy misinforming Nigerians that the 1966 coup was an Igbo coup.

jude79:


You might continue opposing his judgement but history supports his assertions, we are humans and can easily fall for a gimmick, but we can only remedy a situation when we accept mistakes. I doff my hat for the British working through northerners and fulanis for a masterstroke in execution of their plans, using weaknessess observed in the indigenous population, namely envy to pit others against the Igboes, they brought the leader of the other major ethnic group close to government, while operating from behind but made sure control remains with the northerners because of this; (YORUBA, Lagos has for 20 years opposed every Governor). Lugard's report, "I have spent the best part of my life in Africa But after some 29 years, and after nearly 12 years as Governor here, the yorubas are the (most seditious and disloyal of any people I have met" check the phrases in bracket, it means the queen will loose control of Nigeria, ie Nigeria will truly be independent.
They also sold the rhetoric that it was an igbo coup for one sole reason; The people of predominantly Eastern Nigeria are fiercely rebellious with no regard for authority. Though industrious and religious, lugard said ("in deference to the objectives of her majesty and the crown, they are highly dangerous to be trusted with power" check the sentence in bracket, it means that the queen will loose control of Nigeria, ie Nigeria will be truly independent.

Setting the records Straight ... How Fulanis created the hatred for Igbos

"Let the truth be told. The People involved in that so called 1966 “Igbo coup” were:
1. Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu (Midwest Region Igbo)
2. Major Adewale Ademoyega (Western Region – Yoruba), author of “Why we struck”
3. Capt. G. Adeleke (Western Region – Yoruba).
4. Maj. Ifeajuna (Midwestern Region – Igbo).
5. Lt. Fola Oyewole (Western Region – Yoruba), author of “The reluctant rebel”.
6. *Lt. Robert (Bob) Egbiko* (Midwestern Region – Ishan).
7. Lt. Tijani Katsina (Northern Region – Hausa/Fulani).
8. Lt. O. Olafemiyan (Western Region – Yoruba).
9. Capt. Gibson Jalo (Northern Region – Bachama).
10. Capt. Swanton (Northern Region – Middle Belt).
11. Lt. Hope Harris Eghagha (Midwest – Urhobo).
12. Lt. Dag Warribor (Midwest – Ijaw)
13. 2nd Lt. Saleh Dambo (Northern Nigeria -Hausa)
14. 2nd Lt. John Atom Kpera (Northern Nigeria-Tiv).
The reason for calling the 1966 Coup an Igbo exercise is because the government of Nigeria has refused teaching Nigerian History in our schools. And core North has been busy misinforming Nigerians that the 1966 coup was an Igbo coup.

One thing is apparently obvious, disunity and suspicions. I doubt the British to ever trust Yoruba and any subjugated people as that.

Meantime, seeing a neighbor from this Colo lenses is myopic. You don't judge people from others' prejudice but from the content of their character. Please tow the middle line.

louqas:

Revisionist
No
Its the other way round......ibos sold the rest to the fulanis.
Nnamdi Azikwe caused the whole problem.....he was used to fight his southern brothers because of power.....he eventually became a ceremonial president , umsatisfied with the ceremonial post he planned a coup targeting political leaders of other tribes...that was where Northerners came in and that marked the begining of northern domination..( if it were southerners that has the experience of northerners in 1966 they will hold on to power too).......
Let me repeat again....instead of ibos engaging in all these revisionism...intimidation...harassment, blackmail....of other tribes they should apologise for the sins of their sons for their role in 1966 coup , this will be the begining of genuine reconciliation. Not all these chest beating ......ibos alone cannot fight over 300 of us , stop trying you will never succeed.

If ibos were the victims of the 1966 coup they will react the same way if not worse than other tribes are now. Other tribes have feelings too, nobody will ever trust whoever behaved the way ibos behaved in 1966 and the way they have been behaving since GEJ lost in 2015. Nobody is a FOOL if you think its by threatening and intimidating the rest of us lets see how you can go facing over 300 tribes

Excellent Piece.

Networkingprof:


One thing is apparently obvious, disunity and suspicions. I doubt the British to ever trust Yoruba and any subjugated people as that.

Meantime, seeing a neighbor from this Colo lenses is myopic. You don't judge people from others' prejudice but from the content of their character. Please tow the middle line.

The golden rule with the Yoruba is d is, oredani kotoo pon, eni abinibi ndani.

Tribalists take note.

PDP inspired topics on Nairaland

Buckeyemedia1:
Tribalists take note.

At least the whole people don't become leader at a go, they will narrow down to one, in this case, Awolowo for the Yoruba, Zik for the Igbo and Tafawa Balewa for the Hausa.

All the political jamboree at the twilight of Independence landed Awo in prison. Zik became the President and Balewa the and Sardauna of Sokoto weigh great powers.

It beats the imagination that Awo should be released from Calabar prison and be instructed to go declare Oduduwa republic on the go. He's been incarcerated for treason earlier.

I don't know how a sane and lettered freedom fighter conscious of the eyes of the world around his personality and character spring into action as a civilian just like that. That kind of thinking is preposterous.

He would just confirm the conspiracy theory earlier preferred against his person as a sedicious power hungry Yoruba demon by the folks that landed him in prison.

Again, I wonder how people would count on the popularity of a politician for him to declare an Independence as a civilian without stockpile of arms. He's popular, but does the man Awo speak for all Yoruba in a democracy?

The answer is no. There should always be healthy competition in any given polity or human gathering to foster even growth and rapid development and replacement.

Absolute power corrupt absolutely.