₦airaland Forum

Hmmm. Never thought of it that way

T9ksy:
It's truism that Akintola complained about ibo's domination of federal govt appointments in western region and the south in general and that was the main reason why he broke away from Awo's political path to align with the sardunna.

The moment Akintola aligned with the sardunna, the ibos lost most of their position and was the real reason why Akintola was marked for the coupist's bullets.

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!!

From Awo's private secretary:

"It may well be added that it was Awolowo’s participation in Gowon’s administration that enabled him to get a copy of the Ifeajuna manuscript.

A copy was sent to him by a well-wisher who thought he should know about the plans that the January 15 1966 coup plotters had in store for him. ...Awolowo had the two documents in safe keeping when I became his Private (Political) Secretary in June 1978.

I read the documents as part of many such efforts to induct me into the job... So let me put it this way: that I read the full text of the Ifeajuna manuscript...

Awolowo always wanted to have the documents made public... But the dubious value of letting the world know that coup-makers had latched upon him as the saviour they were looking for could have had a double-edged impact with a capacity for damage that may not have been easy to control."

T9ksy:
It's truism that Akintola complained about ibo's domination of federal govt appointments in western region and the south in general and that was the main reason why he broke away from Awo's political path to align with the sardunna.

The moment Akintola aligned with the sardunna, the ibos lost most of their position and was the real reason why Akintola was marked for the coupist's bullets.

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!!

Now take a look at the list of
the '66 coup plotters and render
your own judgement;

1. Major Chukwuma Kaduna
Nzeogwu(Delta Igbo)

2. Major Adewale Ademoyega
(Yoruba) author of "Why we
struck"

3. Capt. G. Adeleke(Yoruba)

4. Maj. Ifeajuna(Igbo)

5. Lt. Fola Oyewole(Yoruba)
author of "The reluctant rebel"

6. Lt. R. Egbiko(Esean)

7. Lt. Tijani Katsina(Hausa/
Fulani)

8. Lt. O. Olafemiyan(Yoruba)

9. Capt. Gibson Jalo(Bali)

10. Capt. Swanton(Middle Belt)

11. Lt. Hope Harris Eghagha
(Urhobo)

12. Lt. Dag Warribor(Ijaw) 13. 2nd Lt. Saleh Dambo(Hausa)

14. 2nd Lt. John Atom Kpera
(Tiv).

T9ksy:
You are not my brother or friend. I don't thrust you and your ilk. You did not see us as brothers when you and your leaders colluded with the northerners and relegate us to the background. As a consequence of you guys jumping into bed with the sardunna, you were able to forment trouble in our region, marginalise us in our region and take our jobs etc.

You malign our leaders and call us all sort of names just because we refused to roll over and let you ride rough-shod over our land- what you wouldn't dare with the north. That's why those guys have been killing you lot at the slightest opportunity evrn before we got independence.

Bros, I can imagine how dour and dead you must look carrying this sort of hate around with you. Hate for people who don't even know you exist. Poor guy. You really are to be pitied. What a life!

T9ksy:
But the Mid-west neutrality as you tagged it, didn't stop ojukwu invading the region and imposing his own rule on the people.

The bottom-line was that Ojukwu intended bringing the whole of southern nigeria under his rule but Awo- a mere civilian showed him that brain power is mightier than sheer brawn and braggadio.

If in doubt, google " Ojukwu's letter to Banjo" and you will clearly discern ojukwu's intention- he was already salivating at the prospect of dominating yorubaland, something his father's friend tried but was unable to accomplish 16 years, earlier.

This is so funny, comparing a 32 year old boy with a grandfatherly figure he adored and called a hero. Unbelievable what a jaundiced eye can see.
We have now seen the letter u been touting. Proves the opposite of your claims

T9ksy:
For crying out loud, after reading the letter, how can you still maintain such an idiotic stance.?

For starters, who asked ojukwu or even Banjo to liberate us from the northerners? So, ojukwu decided in his (ulterior) magnanimity to release banjo from prison (where his fellow ibo officers had placed him on a trumped-up charge) to go and liberate we yorubas from the northerners. Who asked ojukwu for liberation? When did we ask ojukwu for succor? I thought he was seceding with his ibo people from the union his same ibo people pulled us into against wise consul to the contrary? Ojukwu should have just concentrated his effort and meager resources on taking his people out of nigeria first instead of going about "liberating" others (and imposing his will on them) who at no time implicitly or explicitly asked for his help?





So, in essence, we yorubas will only be replacing nigerian army of northern extraction for biafran troops? And you call that liberation? what kind of liberation is that? So, Ojukwu will be the one to tell us when he thinks we are ready to protect ourselves from external threat? Geez! what a bloody insult. We yorubas that have already created a massive and enviable empire and civilisation when ojukwu's forefathers were still roaming around in the jungle in animal hides will now have to rely on him to inform us when HE believes we are able to maintain our sovereignty? What a bloody cheek!! But Ojukwu is not power hungry o!





And who the Bleep is ojukwu to tell us yorubas- a proud race who we can pally with or not? But Ojukwu in your assessment, is not power hungry o?





So, after reading the above condition, you still believe Ojukwu is not power hungry? So, even our obas cannot even fart in their palaces without first getting approval from Ojukwu? And You think yorubas - a proud race with rich culture and history will agree to such a stipulation from ojukwu? Some "liberation", it is!!!






And who is the flippin' govt of RoB? Ojukwu! But Ojukwu is not power hungry o! what a "liberation" (sic).

Let me just stop here as analysing Ojukwu's prerequisite for our unsolicited so-called "liberation" is making me feel sick- need to go and throw up.

Oh before i go and retch, what about the carnage that will have befall our region and the great loss of lives to our young generation? Am certain that Banjo knew (and definitely did not sign his agreement to such a dumb stipulation) that his people will never consent to Ojukwu's megalomania.

At any rate, what is the guarantee that once Ojukwu's objective have been realised, someone from the biafran side wouldn't put a bullet into Banjo? None. And you have the temerity to tell me, ojukwu is not power hungry. My mother didn't raise me a fool and we are definitely not that dumb in yorubaland.

And, don't call me "friend" as am no friend of yours or your type. That's not how i was raised in my neck of the wood to treat someone i consider, a friend.

It is beyond obvious that OJUKWU WAS NOT INTERESTED IN RULING THE WEST. HIS CONCERN WAS THE SUCCESS OF HIS OWN TENUOUS SECESSION. If u can't even see that then what's the point of further discussion

T9ksy:
For crying out loud, after reading the letter, how can you still maintain such an idiotic stance.?

For starters, who asked ojukwu or even Banjo to liberate us from the northerners? So, ojukwu decided in his (ulterior) magnanimity to release banjo from prison (where his fellow ibo officers had placed him on a trumped-up charge) to go and liberate we yorubas from the northerners. Who asked ojukwu for liberation? When did we ask ojukwu for succor? I thought he was seceding with his ibo people from the union his same ibo people pulled us into against wise consul to the contrary? Ojukwu should have just concentrated his effort and meager resources on taking his people out of nigeria first instead of going about "liberating" others (and imposing his will on them) who at no time implicitly or explicitly asked for his help?





So, in essence, we yorubas will only be replacing nigerian army of northern extraction for biafran troops? And you call that liberation? what kind of liberation is that? So, Ojukwu will be the one to tell us when he thinks we are ready to protect ourselves from external threat? Geez! what a bloody insult. We yorubas that have already created a massive and enviable empire and civilisation when ojukwu's forefathers were still roaming around in the jungle in animal hides will now have to rely on him to inform us when HE believes we are able to maintain our sovereignty? What a bloody cheek!! But Ojukwu is not power hungry o!





And who the Bleep is ojukwu to tell us yorubas- a proud race who we can pally with or not? But Ojukwu in your assessment, is not power hungry o?





So, after reading the above condition, you still believe Ojukwu is not power hungry? So, even our obas cannot even fart in their palaces without first getting approval from Ojukwu? And You think yorubas - a proud race with rich culture and history will agree to such a stipulation from ojukwu? Some "liberation", it is!!!






And who is the flippin' govt of RoB? Ojukwu! But Ojukwu is not power hungry o! what a "liberation" (sic).

Let me just stop here as analysing Ojukwu's prerequisite for our unsolicited so-called "liberation" is making me feel sick- need to go and throw up.

Oh before i go and retch, what about the carnage that will have befall our region and the great loss of lives to our young generation? Am certain that Banjo knew (and definitely did not sign his agreement to such a dumb stipulation) that his people will never consent to Ojukwu's megalomania.

At any rate, what is the guarantee that once Ojukwu's objective have been realised, someone from the biafran side wouldn't put a bullet into Banjo? None. And you have the temerity to tell me, ojukwu is not power hungry. My mother didn't raise me a fool and we are definitely not that dumb in yorubaland.

And, don't call me "friend" as am no friend of yours or your type. That's not how i was raised in my neck of the wood to treat someone i consider, a friend.

This guy is a hopeless case. Tribalism won't let him think straight. He is full of "we Yorubas" and "you Igbos".
Bros how can someone have an intellectual discussion with you when u r incapable of removing yourself from a situation and looking at it objectively?

VillageWinch:
My Yoruba friend tells me "atilo" is a kind of native Yoruba dance. So he was saying something like 'Baba dance' ? Doesn't make any sense...

T9ksy, Ovamboland, oladeebo, Ofemannnu
lawani, koladebrainiac, Michael004

Your friend is talking nonsense.
"Baba atilo"? means "Atilo's father"
Just as they call Obasanjo "Baba Iyabo"
because his daughter's name is Iyabo.
Get it now?

GhanaMustGoo:
Oh I intentionally left them out. They benefitted from coups but I'm not sure there is absolute proof they participated in coups. Two sharp guys.

Obasanjo was jailed by Abacha for coup.
As for Gowon, read this:

On July 29, 1975 while Gowon was in Uganda for an Organization of African Unity summit meeting, the army removed him from office.

Gowon was exiled to Great Britain. He was stripped of his rank for allegedly participating in the assassination of his successor, Murtala Mohammed, in 1976. He was pardoned by Shehu Shagari in 1981, and his rank was restored by Ibrahim Babangida in 1987. Having earned a Ph.D. at Warwick University in 1983, he became a professor of political science at the University of Jos in the mid-1980s and attained the status of an elder statesman of Nigerian politics.

.

WetinConsignMe:
Here is how a specialist of that era put it

If Ojukwu did not release Awo, I'd have no business disputing some people's attempts at crass revisionism. I'll simply accept it. But as their increasing vacillation shows, the truth haunts because it is stubborn. They have moved from one angle to the other in a shifting sand that only amuses people like me. Note: the story has since gone from Ironsi did not release Awo to "Ironsi's release was CONDITIONAL."

I have never before in my life found greater irony. Now he is squirming under the weight of interpretation - the wheres and wherefores that belong to legal doublespeak - which is when you really need to close an argument.

Awolowo's letter is rather self-explanatory. Emissaries sent to him to Calabar arrived Calabar with a plane on July 27, 1966. The SMC wanted him in Lagos on July 29. In the early mornings of July 29, Ironsi and Fajuyi were murdered in Ibadan by a coup in which Gowon was very active. On the day that Ironsi was supposed to make the announcement publicly in the gala planned for his final day in Ibadan as a gesture of goodwill to the West, he was killed. The crucial point to note here from Awo's diary is that

(a) his release was already final. A plane had been sent to him to leave Calabar to Lagos. He did not leave because it was a one-engine plane and he just did not like the idea of traveling in that plane.

(b) Having being released, a second declaration of release was no longer necessary by Gowon because the papers releasing him had been signed and sealed and effected. The only person who could stop further action on that release document in the circumstance was the Eastern Regional governor whose authority was required to effect the wishes of the Federal government,

(c) there is no place in the annals of Nigeria's administrative records where you will find an order or paper of release for Awolowo in which Yakubu Gowon's signature appears.

But I'd like to bet Ayo and co $1000 that if we go into the archives of the Nigerian Cabinet Secretariat, the signature that will be on the release order for Chief Awolowo will be Ironsi's signature by the power conferred on him by the SMC, and that there is no second release order unless it was backdated. Ironsi's order was fully carried out by the administrative requirements that compelled the Governor of the East to issue administrative writ to the Director of Prisons in Eastern Nigeria to comply.

It is as simple as that. If Gowon issued an order in that regard, Emeka Ojukwu would have very clearly and deliberately ignored it to fully press the point that he was under no obligation to heed Gowon's authority and Chief Awolowo would not have been released. He would most likely have ended up in the East, like Banjo and co during the war all of whom were released by Ojukwu's orders.

Awo's diary confesses quite clearly that Ironsi's regime had kept his release "secret." Why did Ironsi feel the need to thread carefully about such a matter? Would it be to placate the East, the West, or the North? From whom was Ironsi keeping this secret and why? Who would be more grieved by the news of Awo's release? Awo's release was apparently affected by the confusion in Lagos.

If Ayo were Ojukwu, would he have let him go on July 29th 1966, the day he was expected to be taken to Lagos from the East and the day Ironsi was murder or wait for things to clear up a bit? Why did Ojukwu feel the need to release Awo on the 3rd before a reconstituted SMC? Clearly, Ojukwu thought that Awo's presence in the West would help rally the rump of his supporters in the West to act against the coup in evolution. Awo told Ojukwu plainly when they met in Enugu later in May that he could not act because of the presence of Northern troops in the West. As soon as he arrived Ibadan, Awo was placed under clear surveillance. Military sentries were kept daily at his gate in Ibadan and Ikenne.

That is a version of House arrest. Anyone who talks about "conditional release" does not know how governments function. Awo was to be put through a safe, transitional house, no more than a week after the public announcement of his release, debriefed, and released to his home. The same thing happened to Mandela. It is the normal administrative process in these matters. What really makes me happy is that "Nebu and Obi" can no longer be said to write about things that are not in the public domain. We were both clear about who released Awo and why. Awo's diary basically confirmed the following:

(a) A plane had been sent to Calabar to bring him to Lagos on 27th July, two days before Ironsi was killed; (b) the SMC expected him in Lagos on July 29th the day Ironsi and Fajuyi were killed in Ibadan. In fact, they were desperate that he must arrive Lagos by the 29th! It prompts the question: Why the hurry to bring him to Lagos on the 29th? Were these facts communicated to the coup plotters? If so, who but those in the inner circle of the SMC could have communicated this highly classified policy to the coup plotters who had to act quickly to eliminate Fajuyi and Ironsi before the effectuation of the orders on July 29?

(c) Awo refused to travel in the one-engine plane for fear of his safety and

(d) But above all, no other order is required once the order of release has been gazetted for the release of a prisoner. Therefore, Gowon could no longer have re-issued an order already being carried out. It is elementary.

TO RECAP: By the very decree establishing the National Military Government under Ironsi, the Governor of the Eastern Group of provinces was a member of the Supreme Military Council, and the Chief agent of the federal government in the East. All federal institutions, including the Federal Prison Services, were under his jurisdiction and authority. That is one. As at August 3 1966, with a coup in evolution which had not succeeded in the East, the laws of the federation ceased to exist in the East. The only laws that existed in areas under Ojukwu's command were the emergency laws that he assumed. No tributes, declarations or orders by any other authority outside of the East under any guise of law could be enforced in the East. Basically, Nigeria temporarily ceased to exist.

And here is Awo's letter that led to his release by Ironsi:

Obafemi Awolowo’s Letter

from Prison to

Major General Aguiyi Ironsi

Pressing for His Release and That of His Colleagues



(Dated 28th March 1966)

CONFIDENTIAL

To: The Supreme Commander and Head of the Federal Military Government, Lagos.
Thro: The Director of Prisons, Prisons Headquarters Office, Private Mail Bag 12522, Lagos.



Sir:

Prerogative Of Mercy:
Section 101 (1) (A) of the Constitution of The Federation Act 1963



1. I am writing this petition for FREE PARDON under Section 101(1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federation Act 1963, on behalf of myself and some of my colleagues whose names are set out in the Annexe hereto.

2. Before I go further, I would like to stress that the reasons which I advance in support of this petition, in my own behalf, basically hold good for my said colleagues. For they share the same political beliefs with me, and have intense and unquenchable loyalty for the ideals espoused by the Party which I have the honour to lead.

3. There are many grounds which could be submitted for your consideration in support of this petition. But I venture to think that SEVEN of them are enough and it is to these that I confine myself.

(a)In the course of my evidence during my trial, I stated that my Party favoured and was actively working for alliance with the N.C.N.C. as a means, among other things, of solving what I described as ‘the problem of Nigeria’, and strengthening the unity of the Federation. In October 1963 (that is about a month after my conviction and while my appeal to the Supreme Court was still pending), a Peace Committee headed by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, made overtures to me through my friend Alhaji W. A. Elias to the effect that if I abandoned my intention to enter into alliance with the N.C.N.C. which, according to the Committee, was an Ibo Organisation, and agreed to dissolve the Action Group and, in co-operation with Chief Akintola (now deceased), form an all-embracing Yoruba political party which I would lead and which would go into alliance with the N.P.C., I would be released from prison before the end of that year. I turned down these terms because I was of the considered opinion that their acceptance would further widen and exacerbate inter-tribal differences, and gravely undermine the unity of the Federation. TODAY, THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT, OF WHICH YOU ARE THE HEAD, LEAVES NO ONE IN ANY DOUBT THAT IT STANDS FOR NIGERIAN UNITY. BUT IT MUST BE EMPHASISED, IN THIS CONNECTION, THAT IF I HAD PRIZED MY PERSONAL FREEDOM ABOVE THE UNITY OF NIGERIA, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SET FREE IN 1963. IN THAT EVENT, THIS PETITION WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY, AND THE WORK OF CONSOLIDATING THE UNITY OF THE COUNTRY TO WHICH YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES NOW SET YOUR HANDS MIGHT HAVE BEEN MADE EXTREMELY MORE INTRACTABLE AND IRKSOME. As recently as 20th December, 1965, identical peace terms (the only variant being that the alliance with the N.C.N.C. which was now a reality should be broken) were made to me here, in Calabar Prison, by a delegation representing another Peace Committee headed by the self-same Chief Justice of the Federation and purporting to have the blessing of the Prime Minister, with the unequivocal promise that if I accepted the terms my release would follow almost immediately. I rejected the terms for the reasons which I have outlined above.

(b) One of the monsters which menaced the public life of this country up to 14th January, this year is OPPORTUNISM with its attendant evils of jobbery, venality, corruption, and unabashed self-interest. From all accounts, you are inflexibly resolved to destroy this monster. That was precisely what my colleagues and I had tried to do before we were rendered hors de combat since 29th May, 1962. On two different occasions I was offered, first the post of Deputy Prime Minister (before May 1962), and second that of Deputy Governor-General (in August 1962), if I would agree to fold up the Opposition and join in a National Government. I declined the two offers because they were designed exclusively to gratify my self-interest, with no thought of fostering any political moral principle which could benefit the people of Nigeria. The learned Judge who presided over the Treasonable Felony Trial, commented unfavourably on my non-acceptance of one of these posts and held that my action lent weight to the case of the Prosecution against me. I must say, however, that in all conscience, I felt and still feel that a truly public-spirited person should accept public office not for what he can get for himself — such as the profit and glamour of office — but for the opportunity which it offers him of serving his people to the best of his ability, by promoting their welfare and happiness. To me, the two aforementioned posts were sinecures, and were intended to immobilise my talents and stultify the role of watch-dog which the people of Nigeria looked upon me to play on their behalf, at that juncture in our political evolution.

(c) This leads me to the third ground. From newspaper reports, it would appear that you and your colleagues — like all well-meaning Nigerians are anxious that on the termination of the present military rule, Nigeria should become a flourishing democracy. Now, democracy is a political doctrine which is very intimately dear to my heart.

It was to the end that it might be accepted as a way of life in all parts of the Federation that I campaigned most vigorously and relentlessly in the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, from 1957 to 1962, to the implacable annoyance of some of my political adversaries. It was to the end that this doctrine might survive the severe onslaught of opportunist and mercenary politics that I refused to succumb to the temptation of the National Government. Many views — some of them well-considered and respectable — have been expressed about the value or disvalue of opposition as a feature of public life in a newly emergent African State. Speaking for my party, I submit that the Opposition which I led did, to all intents and purposes, justify its existence and was acclaimed by the masses of our people as essential and indispensable to rapid- national growth.

This was so, because it was unexceptionably constructive. The abrogation of the Anglo-Nigeria Defence Pact was one of the feathers in its cap. Some of the policies which the Government of the day later adopted — such as the creation of a Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the introduction of drastic measures to correct our balance of payments deficit — were among those persistently and constructively urged by the Opposition inside and outside Parliament. The point I wish to emphasise here is that it was not out of spite or hatred for any one that I chose to remain in Opposition instead of joining the much-talked-of National Government. I did so in order to serve our people to the best of my ability in the position in which their votes had placed my Party, and to ensure that the young plant of democracy grows into a sturdy flourishing tree in Nigeria.

(d) Since the declaration of emergency in the Western Region on 29th May,1962, political tension has existed in Western Nigeria. My conviction on 11th September, 1963, together with the surrounding bizarre circumstances, has led not only to the heightening of that tension in Western Nigeria but also to its profuse and irrepressible percolation to the other parts of the Federation. The result is that it can be said, without much fear of contradiction, that today the majority of our people are passionately concerned about and fervently solicitous for the release of myself and my colleagues. The work of reconstruction on which you and your colleagues have embarked demands that all the citizens of Nigeria in their respective callings should give of their maximum best. A state of psychological tension, however much it may be brought under control or repressed, does not and cannot conduce to maximum efficiency. In spite of themselves, people labouring under emotions which this kind of tension automatically generates are bound to make avoidable mistakes which in their turn have adverse effects on national progress. It is, therefore, in the national interest that this tension should be relaxed, if possible, without further delay.

(e) A petition of this kind is, by its very nature, bound to be replete with self-adulation. I hope and trust that, in the circumstances, this is excusable. It is in this hope and trust that I assert that my colleagues and I have the qualifications and capacity to render invaluable services to our people and fatherland. Every day that we spend in prison, therefore, must be regarded as TWENTY-FOUR UNFORGIVING HOURS OF TRULY VALUABLE SERVICES LOST TO OUR YOUNG COUNTRY. Even my most inveterate enemies have given the following testimony about me: ‘AWOLOWO HAS STILL A GREAT DEAL TO GIVE TO THIS COUNTRY.’ No country however advanced and civilized can afford to waste any of its talents, be they ever so small. Nigeria is too young to bury some of her talents as she was compelled to do under the old regime. It is within your power to restore my colleagues and me to a position where our fatherland can again rejoice at the contributions which we are capable of making to its progress, welfare and happiness.

(f) Nigeria is now SIXTY-SIX MONTHS old as an independent State. The final phase in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence was initiated by my Party in the historic Self-Government motion moved by Chief Anthony Enahoro and supported by me on 31st March, 1953. IT SHOULD BE REGARDED AS MORE THAN IRONICAL, AND AS PALPABLY TRAGIC, THAT TWO OF THE ARCHITECTS OF THAT INDEPENDENCE AND, INDEED, THE PACE-SETTERS AND ACCELERATORS OF ITS FINAL PHASE SHOULD BE UNFREE IN A FREE NIGERIA. In precise terms, I have spent FORTY-SIX out of the SIXTY-SIX MONTHS of independence in one form of confinement or another. I happened to know that the leaders of the old civilian regime, in spite of themselves, did not feel quite easy in their conscience about the plight into which they had manoeuvred me in the scheme of things; and I dare to express the hope and belief that you, personally view my present confinement with concern and disapproval.

(g) It is usual — almost invariably the case — on the accession of a revolutionary regime, for political prisoners and, indeed, other prisoners of some note, to be released as a mark of disapproval of some of the doings of the old regime, or in token of the new dawn of freedom which comes in the wake of the new regime. It would be invidious to quote unspecific instances. But in the case of my colleagues and myself, by courageously and adamantly opposing the evils which your regime now denounces in the former civilian administration, I think we are perfectly justified if we expect you to regard us as being in tune with your yearnings and aspirations for Nigeria, and therefore entitled to our personal freedoms under your dispensation.

4. In view of the foregoing reasons which clearly demonstrate:

(i) that I have always and, under trying circumstances, steadfastly and unyieldingly
(a) stood for the UNITY OF NIGERIA,
(b)been opposed to POLITICAL OPPORTUNISM with its attendant evils, (c)fostered the growth of DEMOCRACY in Nigeria;

(ii) that my incarceration:
(a) has led to the heightening of political tension among Nigerians, which tension can only be relaxed by my release, (b)has deprived our fatherland of invaluable services such as we have rendered before, and can still render now and in future, in greater measure; and

(iii) that the evils which my colleagues and I condemned and valiantly refused to compromise with in the old civilian government are what you now quite rightly denounce, and are taking active steps to remove in order to pave the way for national and beneficial reconstruction, I most sincerely appeal to you to be good enough to exercise, in favour of myself and my colleagues, the prerogative of mercy vested in you by Section 10 (I) (i) (a) of the Constitution of the Federation Act 1963, by granting me as well as each of my colleagues A FREE PARDON. If you do, your action will be most warmly, heartily, and popularly applauded at home and abroad, and you will go down to history as soldier, statesmen, and humanitarian.


Yours truly,

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO.



THOSE CONVICTED FOR TREASONABLE FELONY.


I. THOSE STILL SERVING THEIR TERMS
1.Chief Obafemi Awolowo 2.Chief Anthony Enahoro 3.Mr.Lateef K. Jakande 4.Mr.Dapo Omisade 5.Mr.S.A.Onitiri 6.Mr.Gabby Sasore 7.Mr.Sunday Ebietoma 8.Mr.U.I.Nwaobiala

II.THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SERVED THEIR TERMS.
1.Mr. S.A.Otubanjo 2.Mr.S.J.Umoren 3.Mr.S.Oyesile.

III.THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET BEEN TRIED.
1. Mr.S.G.Ikoku 2.Mr.Ayo Adebanjo 3.Mr.James Aluko

VillageWinch:
Ojukwus plan was clearly that Banjo link up with Yoruba leaders and declare their own secession

Thank you. This your simple sentence sums up everything

T9ksy:
At their meeting in enugu, Ojukwu bragged to Awo that, "I started off this struggle in July with 120 rifles to defend the entirety
of the East", that almost a year but according to you, his strategy was to bring his war of secession to yorubaland where the people were
certainly not in the position to defend themselves as their region was already been occupied by the "enemies". what a warped strategy to predicate his secession bid on.

Warped strateguy or not, it almost succeeded and would have succeeded IF Banjo and Awo played along.

T9ksy:
At their meeting in enugu, Ojukwu bragged to Awo that, "I started off this struggle in July with 120 rifles to defend the entirety
of the East", that almost a year but according to you, his strategy was to bring his war of secession to yorubaland where the people were
certainly not in the position to defend themselves as their region was already been occupied by the "enemies". what a warped strategy to predicate his secession bid on.

I sense that Ojukwu truly liked if not loved Awo. He called him Baba and almost always spoke to him in Yoruba. He gave him his private number that only him answered. He told him "Baba atilo" before anyone was even sure what would happen. So it was not newspaper reports. He knew or thought he knew his man.

T9ksy:
For crying out loud, after reading the letter, how can you still maintain such an idiotic stance.?

For starters, who asked ojukwu or even Banjo to liberate us from the northerners? So, ojukwu decided in his (ulterior) magnanimity to release banjo from prison (where his fellow ibo officers had placed him on a trumped-up charge) to go and liberate we yorubas from the northerners. Who asked ojukwu for liberation? When did we ask ojukwu for succor? I thought he was seceding with his ibo people from the union his same ibo people pulled us into against wise consul to the contrary? Ojukwu should have just concentrated his effort and meager resources on taking his people out of nigeria first instead of going about "liberating" others (and imposing his will on them) who at no time implicitly or explicitly asked for his help?




So, in essence, we yorubas will only be replacing nigerian army of northern extraction for biafran troops? And you call that liberation? what kind of liberation is that? So, Ojukwu will be the one to tell us when he thinks we are ready to protect ourselves from external threat? Geez! what a bloody insult. We yorubas that have already created a massive and enviable empire and civilisation when ojukwu's forefathers were still roaming around in the jungle in animal hides will now have to rely on him to inform us when HE believes we are able to maintain our sovereignty? What a bloody cheek!! But Ojukwu is not power hungry o!





And who the Bleep is ojukwu to tell us yorubas- a proud race who we can pally with or not? But Ojukwu in your assessment, is not power hungry o?





So, after reading the above condition, you still believe Ojukwu is not power hungry? So, even our obas cannot even fart in their palaces without first getting approval from Ojukwu? And You think yorubas - a proud race with rich culture and history will agree to such a stipulation from ojukwu? Some "liberation", it is!!!






And who is the flippin' govt of RoB? Ojukwu! But Ojukwu is not power hungry o! what a "liberation" (sic).

Let me just stop here as analysing Ojukwu's prerequisite for our unsolicited so-called "liberation" is making me feel sick- need to go and throw up.

Oh before i go and retch, what about the carnage that will have befall our region and the great loss of lives to our young generation? Am certain that Banjo knew (and definitely did not sign his agreement to such a dumb stipulation) that his people will never consent to Ojukwu's megalomania.

At any rate, what is the guarantee that once Ojukwu's objective have been realised, someone from the biafran side wouldn't put a bullet into Banjo? None. And you have the temerity to tell me, ojukwu is not power hungry. My mother didn't raise me a fool and we are definitely not that dumb in yorubaland.

And, don't call me "friend" as am no friend of yours or your type. That's not how i was raised in my neck of the wood to treat someone i consider, a friend.

Bros, what is wrong with u really? Can't u for one minute drop the tribalism and see things as they truly are. Ojukwu knew (and he was right) that the only way Biafran secession would succeed was if the West also seceded. HE WAS NOT DOING IT AS A FAVOUR TO THEM. HE WAS DOING IT FOR HIS OWN SURVIVAL.
Why is that so hard for u to get through your thick skull?!

T9ksy:
I already suspected my post wili be too much for your cerebral capability. No wonder, you call you gibberish.

Cerebral capacity my ass. You know fully well what the answer is. I don't know what you gain by not telling the truth. These things are in the past. We can't change anything by pretending it was a different way.
The only possible answer to the question is this:

He chose Banjo because he'd be in a better position than an Igbo to communicate with fellow Yorubas and convince them to also secede with minimal blood shed.

.

WetinConsignMe:
Here is how a specialist of that era put it

If Ojukwu did not release Awo, I'd have no business disputing some people's attempts at crass revisionism. I'll simply accept it. But as their increasing vacillation shows, the truth haunts because it is stubborn. They have moved from one angle to the other in a shifting sand that only amuses people like me. Note: the story has since gone from Ironsi did not release Awo to "Ironsi's release was CONDITIONAL."

I have never before in my life found greater irony. Now he is squirming under the weight of interpretation - the wheres and wherefores that belong to legal doublespeak - which is when you really need to close an argument.

Awolowo's letter is rather self-explanatory. Emissaries sent to him to Calabar arrived Calabar with a plane on July 27, 1966. The SMC wanted him in Lagos on July 29. In the early mornings of July 29, Ironsi and Fajuyi were murdered in Ibadan by a coup in which Gowon was very active. On the day that Ironsi was supposed to make the announcement publicly in the gala planned for his final day in Ibadan as a gesture of goodwill to the West, he was killed. The crucial point to note here from Awo's diary is that

(a) his release was already final. A plane had been sent to him to leave Calabar to Lagos. He did not leave because it was a one-engine plane and he just did not like the idea of traveling in that plane.

(b) Having being released, a second declaration of release was no longer necessary by Gowon because the papers releasing him had been signed and sealed and effected. The only person who could stop further action on that release document in the circumstance was the Eastern Regional governor whose authority was required to effect the wishes of the Federal government,

(c) there is no place in the annals of Nigeria's administrative records where you will find an order or paper of release for Awolowo in which Yakubu Gowon's signature appears.

But I'd like to bet Ayo and co $1000 that if we go into the archives of the Nigerian Cabinet Secretariat, the signature that will be on the release order for Chief Awolowo will be Ironsi's signature by the power conferred on him by the SMC, and that there is no second release order unless it was backdated. Ironsi's order was fully carried out by the administrative requirements that compelled the Governor of the East to issue administrative writ to the Director of Prisons in Eastern Nigeria to comply.

It is as simple as that. If Gowon issued an order in that regard, Emeka Ojukwu would have very clearly and deliberately ignored it to fully press the point that he was under no obligation to heed Gowon's authority and Chief Awolowo would not have been released. He would most likely have ended up in the East, like Banjo and co during the war all of whom were released by Ojukwu's orders.

Awo's diary confesses quite clearly that Ironsi's regime had kept his release "secret." Why did Ironsi feel the need to thread carefully about such a matter? Would it be to placate the East, the West, or the North? From whom was Ironsi keeping this secret and why? Who would be more grieved by the news of Awo's release? Awo's release was apparently affected by the confusion in Lagos.

If Ayo were Ojukwu, would he have let him go on July 29th 1966, the day he was expected to be taken to Lagos from the East and the day Ironsi was murder or wait for things to clear up a bit? Why did Ojukwu feel the need to release Awo on the 3rd before a reconstituted SMC? Clearly, Ojukwu thought that Awo's presence in the West would help rally the rump of his supporters in the West to act against the coup in evolution. Awo told Ojukwu plainly when they met in Enugu later in May that he could not act because of the presence of Northern troops in the West. As soon as he arrived Ibadan, Awo was placed under clear surveillance. Military sentries were kept daily at his gate in Ibadan and Ikenne.

That is a version of House arrest. Anyone who talks about "conditional release" does not know how governments function. Awo was to be put through a safe, transitional house, no more than a week after the public announcement of his release, debriefed, and released to his home. The same thing happened to Mandela. It is the normal administrative process in these matters. What really makes me happy is that "Nebu and Obi" can no longer be said to write about things that are not in the public domain. We were both clear about who released Awo and why. Awo's diary basically confirmed the following:

(a) A plane had been sent to Calabar to bring him to Lagos on 27th July, two days before Ironsi was killed; (b) the SMC expected him in Lagos on July 29th the day Ironsi and Fajuyi were killed in Ibadan. In fact, they were desperate that he must arrive Lagos by the 29th! It prompts the question: Why the hurry to bring him to Lagos on the 29th? Were these facts communicated to the coup plotters? If so, who but those in the inner circle of the SMC could have communicated this highly classified policy to the coup plotters who had to act quickly to eliminate Fajuyi and Ironsi before the effectuation of the orders on July 29?

(c) Awo refused to travel in the one-engine plane for fear of his safety and

(d) But above all, no other order is required once the order of release has been gazetted for the release of a prisoner. Therefore, Gowon could no longer have re-issued an order already being carried out. It is elementary.

TO RECAP: By the very decree establishing the National Military Government under Ironsi, the Governor of the Eastern Group of provinces was a member of the Supreme Military Council, and the Chief agent of the federal government in the East. All federal institutions, including the Federal Prison Services, were under his jurisdiction and authority. That is one. As at August 3 1966, with a coup in evolution which had not succeeded in the East, the laws of the federation ceased to exist in the East. The only laws that existed in areas under Ojukwu's command were the emergency laws that he assumed. No tributes, declarations or orders by any other authority outside of the East under any guise of law could be enforced in the East. Basically, Nigeria temporarily ceased to exist.

I already knew all this. I just wanted you to round up your post

GhanaMustGoo:
Ok, how do u explain:
"Starvation is a legitimate weapon of war."

No mind am

T9ksy:
Simple..........as another "afonja" and that was probably why Banjo didn't rush to lead biafran troops to wreck havoc on his homeland.

U have no answer, that's why u chose to type gibberish.

Nothing u no go see

GhanaMustGoo:
Seems like once a coup plotter, always a coup plotter. Same.thing with Danjuma, Babangida, Murutala, etc

Ojukwu was the only major Nigerian historical soldier statesman who never participated in coup. He even refused to join the Nzeogwu coup and also the Gowon coup

GhanaMustGoo:
Seems like once a coup plotter, always a coup plotter. Same.thing with Danjuma, Babangida, Murutala, etc

You forgot the big ones - Gowon and Obasanjo

koladebrainiac:
I dont understand. there are other accounts to this story u guys are bragging about , playing victim upandan. Victor Bajo's account and what LET TO AWOLOWO'S REFUSER TO JOIN SECESSION. ANYTHING OF SECESSION ON YORUBA PART IS A SUICIDE FOR US. WE WILL BE THE BATTLE GROUND. COMMON DORDAN BARRACK WAS IN LAGOS. AND NIEGRIA CAPITAL. ITS WELL FORTIFIED . SO IF YORUBA MAKE SECEDE WHO WILL FIGHT FOR AWOLOWO? CAN HE MUSTER ARMY IN THE BARACK? THAT ASIDE THE ACCOUNT WE HEARD WAS THAT AWOLOWO WENT TO SEE OJUKWU TO STAND DOWN NOT TO DISCUSS SECESSION. AND WHAT AWOLOWO SAID WAS THAT IF OJUKWU FINALLY SUCEDE, HE WILL JOIN THE FRAY. BUT YOU GUYS WILL KEEP LYING N THROWING PROPAGANDA UPANDAN.

We are not blaming Awo for not seceding - something he clearly was in no position to do. We are faulting him for lying about something beyond his capability, as u just pointed out

koladebrainiac:
I dont understand. there are other accounts to this story u guys are bragging about , playing victim upandan. Victor Bajo's account and what LET TO AWOLOWO'S REFUSER TO JOIN SECESSION. ANYTHING OF SECESSION ON YORUBA PART IS A SUICIDE FOR US. WE WILL BE THE BATTLE GROUND. COMMON DORDAN BARRACK WAS IN LAGOS. AND NIEGRIA CAPITAL. ITS WELL FORTIFIED . SO IF YORUBA MAKE SECEDE WHO WILL FIGHT FOR AWOLOWO? CAN HE MUSTER ARMY IN THE BARACK? THAT ASIDE THE ACCOUNT WE HEARD WAS THAT AWOLOWO WENT TO SEE OJUKWU TO STAND DOWN NOT TO DISCUSS SECESSION. AND WHAT AWOLOWO SAID WAS THAT IF OJUKWU FINALLY SUCEDE, HE WILL JOIN THE FRAY. BUT YOU GUYS WILL KEEP LYING N THROWING PROPAGANDA UPANDAN.

Bros go to whoever taught u English and get your money back

Michael004:
Yeah I know it was a mistake. But don't bother yourself. I know the correct word to use. I understand Concord very well. Thank you.

If u knew it was a mistake why didn't you correct it? All na sign of illiteracy.

T9ksy:
But the Mid-west neutrality as you tagged it, didn't stop ojukwu invading the region and imposing his own rule on the people.

The bottom-line was that Ojukwu intended bringing the whole of southern nigeria under his rule but Awo- a mere civilian showed him that brain power is mightier than sheer brawn and braggadio.

If in doubt, google " Ojukwu's letter to Banjo" and you will clearly discern ojukwu's intention- he was already salivating at the prospect of dominating yorubaland, something his father's friend tried but was unable to accomplish 16 years, earlier.

Why would he choose Banjo a heartland core Yoruba man. Think, mehn, think.

Of course Obiano is a crook.
We all know that.
What's the news here

MightySparrow:
Thanks for your observation and correction.
You have demonstrated more of maturity than I. I wrote from the point view of anger with some who write all manner of bad things about Awo.

A times such write up could be provocative.
I did know you were not among those who could write or contribute hateful things about others.

I am deeply sorry for that, biko, joor, yankuri.

That's why you should not take NL rantings to heart. In real life Igbos and Yorubas are not at each other's throat.
They live together quite amicably and in friendship

WetinConsignMe:
I'll talk more on it later. Gotta go

Ciao

WetinConsignMe:
Well, in the sense that Gowon could have stuck him back in jail or house arrest or not grant him full pardon

I know that but I don't think that's what Gowon meant.

Basic123:
No.You are the lunatic sir,including your family members.
You are all suffering from schizophrenia

I didn't check the moniker. When I did I realised u r not worth my time