₦airaland Forum

Ngige don F up big time!

ndu_chucks: Can you people read at all? Everyone has a right to participate - that is not the issue raised! geez

No vex I genuinely want to understand your viewpoint on a minority group like the Ogonis as regards the national conference. Who should represent them and how

ndu_chucks: You people are being dishonest. Do you really expect a tribe which may number in the 100s of thousands to have the same representation as one which numbers in the millions? Equal representation ko, equal reparations ni. mumus

So a tribe with 100,000 ppl does not have rights? Not correct, politically or morally

emiye: there is a whole lot of difference between Sovereign National Conference and National Conference.


What Jonathan is proposing for is a National Conference, which when conducted the report can easily be made to gather dust.

What Tinubu is advocating for is a Sovereign National Conference

This is too funny. Sebi GEJ toned down the idea from sovereign national conference to just national conference because of the controversy and objection from the northern elements. I would advise tinubu lends his voice in support of the sovereign national conference since he has been in support of it all along

No need for the ACF to worry themselves. Its too late for these antics. The Igbo NC agenda shall simply align with an agreement reneged upon decades ago.

On Aburi we stand

https://www.nairaland.com/1463377/nigeria-why-must-talk-no-holds-barred

This development gave unburnished confidence to Sultan Bello who declared on October 12, 1960, in an interview with The Parrot, just days after independence the following words: “This New Nation called Nigeria, should be an estate of our great grand father, Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as willing tools, and the South, as conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us, and never allow them to have control over their future.”

With Alhaji Tafawa Balewa firmly in charge in Lagos, Sir Bello’s confidence became ebullient. To him Chief Obafemi Awolowo has been a thorn in his flesh politically, having mainatained an effective opposition to the feudalisation of Nigeria. Earlier in 1959, he had vowed to make Chief Awolowo pay dearly for forcing him to canvass for the votes of his Northern people. Awolowo had to be caged. Thus in the Daily Times of May 3, 1961, Sir Bello said the following:

“I’m set and fully armed, to conquer the Action Group, AG, in the same ruthless manner as my grandfather conquered Alkalawa, a town in Sokoto province, during the last century.” In May 1962, twelve months after this statement, the NPC Prime Minister of Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa, acting on instructions from Sultan Bello moved a motion to Declare A State of Emergency in Western Region. Below is an excerpt of Chief Awolowo’s contribution opposing the motion of Prime Minister Balewa on May 29, 1962:

“Not long ago after independence, there was rioting of a most severe nature in the Tiv Division of Northern Nigeria. Several lives were lost, several properties were destroyed, there was arson and a host of other crimes were committed. At that time, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the Prime Minister as he is today. He did not think it fit to call this parliament to declare a state of public emergency in the Northern Region. Also in Okrika – there was widespread rioting in Okrika; again, several lives and properties were lost. I understand that this widespread rioting in Okrika occurred twice in the Eastern Region. The Prime Minister and the cabinet did not think it fit on that occasion to declare a state of public emergency in the Eastern Region.

“But, because the Action Group is pursuing the normal democratic processes as laid down in our constitution to oust someone who happens to be a very close friend of the Prime Minister, and also because the AG is looked upon as a moral foe to the NPC, this very far-reaching provision of our constitution is now being invoked, …..It is doing violence to our constitution and doing violence to the construction of words to suggest that what happened in the Western House of Assembly amounts to a state of public emergency.”

On July 16, 1962, exactly 46 days after Chief Awolowo moved this motion and fourteen months after Sir Bello made the statement of conquest of the AG, Chief Awolowo was arrested on the trumped up charges of Treasonable Felony. On November 2, 1962, Chief Awolowo and 28 other members of his party were put on trial. After a hearing lasting eleven months, he was sentenced (September 11, 1963) to ten years imprisonment. This effectively shut down the opposition to the unmaking of Nigerian Federalism which continued unabated.

Thus, why Awolowo was incarcerated, the Northern Peoples Congress led Federal Government embarked on headcount. This exercise was headed by a Briton as Federal Census Officer, Mr. J. J. Warren. The exercise was later cancelled because it was unacceptable. Daniel Agbowu in his book “NIGERIA: The Truth” quoted from M. Crowder’s book, “Story of Nigeria” published in 1966 noting that “The 1962 figures were first questioned in the first place not by politicians but by the civil servant in charge of the Census.”

The Census was re-conducted in 1963 but not without controversy. The figure released on February 24, 1964 is as follows:

North: 29,809,000

East: 12,394,000

West: 10,931,000

Midwest: 2,536,000

TOTAL: 55,670,000.

This was in contrast to the initial figure of over 60 million. Dr. Michael Okpara, Premier of Eastern Region described it as “worse than useless.” Chief Dennis Osadebey characterised it as the “stupendous joke of our age.” Chief S. L. Akintola, revelling in his supposed invulnerability having allied himself to the NPC, which mastermined the incarceration of Awolowo, gladly “accepted the census figures” and said “the figures were accurate.”

Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, encumbered by his involvement in the Balewa government, could not effectively artculate the anger of his people as he pleaded that “all should remain calm” because the Census controversy “might plunge the nation into disaster.” Chief Awolowo was meanwhile effectively out of circulation. Sultan Bello had come out smoking as he threatened that “he and his party were ready for a complete showdown” and “warned all Nigerians” that his “Government has accepted the published figures.” Tafawa Balewa ignored all the protestations and went ahead to distribute the seats in the National Assembly as follows:

North 168 53.8%,

East 69 21 %,

West (Lagos included) 61 19.6%,

Midwest 14 4.5%.

The Eastern Region Soilicitor General, Mr. D. O. Ibekwe “took out a writ in the Supreme Court to restrain the Federal Government from using the 1963 Census figures for delineation of the country.” But the Supreme Court said it had no jurisdiction over the case, thus the unmaking of Nigerian Federalism continued.

Crisis followed that action of 1964 by Tafawa Balawa. In the West, the people took their destiny in their hands to confront the government of S. L. Akintola in an episode ingloriously referred to as “wet e.” The Tiv Riots, simmering since 1960 also came to a head in 1964 in what was called “nande nande” (burning burning) and “atem ityough” (head breaking). The whole country went up in flames which unfortunately, consumed the main actors, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Tafawa Balewa and Chief S. L. Akintola, as the Military ascended the political pedestal to continue the serial rigging of Nigeria’s Federalism.

As at the time the First Republic went up in flames in 1966, there were different constitutions for each region and Nigeria. Each region has its own High Commissioner in London. What does this mean? It meant that every region was in control of its destiny. Most historical analysts believed that General Aguiyi Ironsi who took over the reign of power from the uncoordinated plotters of the coup was the first leader who actually practicalised Unitarism of the Nigerian political space, at least officially.

Reasons for this should not be difficult to decipher given the chaos that ended the First Republic. But this particular act coupled with the fact that in the January 15, 1966 coup led by Murtala Mohammed that eventually saw the installation of Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon as the military Head of State.

Katsumoto: 1. Unegbe - Anuforo went to Kur Mohammed's house in Apapa. He entered with 3 NCOs and brought Kur Mohammed out ALIVE. He then proceeded to Unegbe's house in the same area of Apapa and entered ALONE. He didn't bring Unegbe out ALIVE. Instead, he came out alone and asked the NCOs to bring out his dead body. From Apapa, Anuforo went to the Federal Guard Officer's Mess. He dumped Unegbe's and Mohammed's bodies there and proceeded to Ikoyi with Chukuka who had arrested Pam. When they got to Ikoyi, Anuforo killed Pam

2. Ademulegun - The killers were the only witnesses, they can claim whatever they want. They could have even said Ademulegun ambushed them. The fact remains that a man was killed with his pregnant wife. How could she help him get away? There were armed men in the bedroom and they went through the door; so how would he have gotten away? Insinuating that a Brigadier hid behind his wife is doing a disservice to his legacy and life. Akintola was expecting the plotters and as such prepared for them like the Aare Onakakanfo that he was. Ademulegun went to bed with his PREGNANT wife, he wasn't expecting anyone at that time of the night. When you give excuses for such dastardly acts, others will equally give excuses for dastardly acts committed against you.

3. I never insinuated that Akintola and Bello were saints. I merely explained why they made certain speeches.

4. It would be inaccurate to state that the Igbo people were killed just because of the coup. Igbo people had suffered this fate in the North in 1945 and 1953. Clearly there was a bigger issue at play which was ignored by Igbo people.

1. The scenario you described still indicates an opinion that remains to be substantiated. It only shows that anuforo went in with 3 ncos and brought kur out alive but went in alone to unegbe's (an igbo man) house and shot him (according to anuforo because he refused to cooperate). At best its just an idea that there was another motive unless there is anything else to connect the dots. Or you don't think so?

2. It wasnt Ademulegun that was rumoured to have hidden behind his wife it was Ahmadu Bello. I heard and agreed that ademulegun reached for his gun to defend his wife and himself like any man would do. Its not justification for killing a person (certainly not) but the frame of mind of armed soldiers with guns in the heat of the moment. Take a second look at my earlier post.

3. I am particular about you saying that their comments were "not without merit". Everyone has read ahmadu bello's interview or at least excerpt of it where he described his devotion to the cause of the north towards dominating the south and using many means including divide and rule. That same person has the temerity to accuse an entire ethnic group of traits that they find threatening. Not leaders of the tribe but the whole tribe. That's not the sort of leadership that any group of radical army officers like u had in the 1960's anywhere in the world would tolerate

4. It all boils down to bad rhetoric and stereotypes. All riots against igbos in the north were instigated by local northern politicians with devilish aims and ends or just an ignorant population. It is on record that a certain riot in the north (I think kano) was instigated in response to the booing in lagos of northern politicians in 1953 who came to the federal assembly and had voted against independence from britain. I hope we don't forget the Emir of Anka, Zamfara state spoke the truth recently in an interview (its on NL sef) that the stereotype of igbos was always used to settle political scores or wrestle business opportunities.

Orlando Owoh: Google it, using the words.

I guessed as much. Not an ounce of substance

Orlando Owoh: You asked me to get proof to back my claim, while I'm yet to, you jumped into conclusion. I will leave to do it yourself.

No vex. Just prove your claim bros

Katsumoto: Thank you for your honesty and genuine attempts at debating the issue.

The killers said Ademulegun was reaching for his drawer. Both him and his wife were killed, so no witnesses to know what really happened. What we know is that a man was gunned down with his PREGNANT wife on his bed.

Ahmadu Bello's guard was trying to defend his boss so no issues with his death. But what about Bello's wife who was trying to shield her husband? Why not drag her away before shooting Bello?

Unegbe was killed for something other than the coup. Only Anuforo entered his house. Anuforo, the killer, was the only witness.

A writer can present facts which I can accept but I don't have to accept all his conclusions.

The accusations made by Bello and Akintola weren't without merit. One only has to look at the actions taken by Zik and those close to him to understand better. One of the accusations made by Akintola was that the Igbos wanted everything for themselves.

I am shocked to hear your opinion about Unegbe's death being unrelated to the coup when he was shot by the coup plotters during the execution of same. What then was the reason for his death?

Ademulegun reached for a gun and the gunmen shot him. Its the equivalent of a 50/50 challenge in football. For ahmadu bellos wife its neither here nor their. If she was trying to help him get away like a devoted wife might do she would risk getting shot and she went for it. Some accounts have it that he hid behind her and they shot through her. Akintola opened up on the plotters like a real man and went down with pride in my opinion.

As for the hate speeches by ahmadu bello and his ally akintola, are u insinuating that these two men were saints or that they were innocent of what they accused others of? Why did the midwest region choose to go on their own if all was well in the western region and why was J.S. Tarka so gung-ho about middle belt independence from the monolithic north. My personal opinion after reading ahmadu bello's infamous interview where he stated that the north would dominate the south was that the man deserved to be kicked out of any place of authority.

I still also ask why did useni and the northern elite not massacre plateau ppl when murtala was killed by plateau officers? The filthy lies and rhetoric nurtured and recited over time about igbos made it possible for the northerners to commit the genocide. Plain and simple.

Orlando Owoh: Not only that, Igbo people printed two pictures on T-shirts, making caricature of those killed on January 15 1966 which they even sold in Northern Region. On one of the T-shirts, Ladoke Akintola and Ahmadu Bello were seen being prevented from entering Heaven by an angel who claimed the place was not meant for riggers. On the other one, some other politicians' corpses were lying on the floor while a cork, the symbol of NCNC, was standing on their chests.
Igbo people caused the present state of Nigeria, where there is distrust, enmity, and so on because of their selfishness. That is why, to be honest, I am indifferent on whatever evil that is befalling them. If you sow to the wind, expect to reap the whirlwind. Ife onye metaru.

I don't want to call you a liar. Just substantiate these things you have described in such rich detail. Any account, book excerpt, anything with substance will be appreciated. All this sort of beer parlour talk is what led to the deaths of thousands of innocent people. I remember when a yoruba poster a while ago printed a page, put in a bread wrapper and posted a picture of it on NL to claim that it was printed by igbos in 1966 to celebrate the coup. Such raving idiocy was seen a few months ago when you had some yoruba ppl echoing that igbos declared lagos no mans land when NOBODY can actually say who said it or when it was said. Pathetic and sheep like behaviour feom ppl who are supposed to be sophisticated.

Post anything to corroborate what you have posted above unless you made it up or regurgitated what you heard in a tombo bar

ilugunboy: I did not......but obviously you didn't even attend school.

"deceits" indeed. Lol

Katsumoto: First, this are after the event lies stories. Ademoyega who wasn't in Enugu is telling us that Oguchi found Okpara in the Premier's lodge but Mbu is telling us that the soldiers attempted to shoot Okpara at the airport. Which is it really? Neither Mbu nor Ademulegun was at the airport and both are telling stories that contradict one another ostensibly because they weren't really witnesses to the events. It is very obvious that these lies were concocted after the coup failed to make it seem like an attempt was made.

Second, let us look at the manner in which some non-Igbos were killed

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.'

Ademulegun

'According to the Majors’ version of events, Ademulegun reached for a drawer beside his bed, and as he did so, Onwuategwu shot him dead in his bed, along with Ademulegun’s wife who was lying beside him.'

Source: The Inside Story of Nigeria’s First Military Coup - Max Siollun

Shodeinde

164. By this time the Colonel was awake and sitting up in bed. Mrs. Shodeinde started to cry and beg for her life. Nzeogwu assured her that they had not come to kill her but her husband the Colonel. When she continued shouting, the other soldiers shot at her legs, wounding her several times.

165. Major Nzeogwu and the others then commenced firing at the Colonel whilst still in bed, who fell down dead or dying by the side of the bed. Mrs. Shodeinde then fled from the room and ran for shelter to the servant's quarters where she remained until theattackers left.

Source: Special Branch Report: "Military Rebellion of 15th January 1966"

Reading the above, one can conclude that the Igbo officers had no regards for the lives of non-Igbo human beings and didn't hesitate to waste their lives. Contrast these three stories with the bogus lie told by Mbu and you will see that these are some of the worst instances of evil and deadly tribalism. Three men and their wives were shot at. The three men died, two of the women died (one was pregnant), while another PREGNANT woman was wounded in the legs through gun shots.

Third, it is obvious that tribalism played a part in the planning for the murders. How does one explain armed units going led by majors, two in some cases, going after non-Igbo targets but only a lieutenant was sent after Okpara? I don't buy the excuse of Chude-Sokei going abrood. If Chude-Sokei was going abroad, why wasn't he replaced by one of the other majors?

To be honest I just spotted that contradiction. I'd rather go along with ademoyega's account since the bone of contention is igbo partiality during the coup and ademoyega isn't igbo. Also several independent accounts have it that okpara was in the governors's lodge with the president of Cyprus at the time of the attack.

Regarding the varying degrees of brutality let's look at it without sentiment. Ademulegun reached for a drawer with guns aimed at him. Ahmadu bello's bodyguard tried to use his bow and arrow and he attempted to evade them, note that nzeogwu was reportedly angry. Unegbe (an igbo man) resisted and was shot dead. Compare those scenarios to the haphazard ebugu operation as described in my previous post and the situation okpara was found in.

As for your not believing the same max siollun who u quoted that Chude-Sokei was abroad because it doesnt support your argument raises an eyebrow to be honest with you.

Igbo phobia fuelled by the poisonous rhetoric and hate speeches by the likes of ahmadu bello and akintola made it easy to goad the masses into believing conspiracy theories.

ilugunboy: Why was it that it was only the Igbo officers and politicians that the benevolence God and act of omission / commission were kind too?

With them....all the plans just failed...while with others....everything went seemingly as planned.

Enjoy your deceits....

There is no word like deceits, are u sure u passed waec?

theoctopus: Dribbling who? He is making a fool of himself. All those reading his post are shaking their head for him. You people will do more damage to your cause than PDP will ever do to you! Scammers and liars! enemies of Nigeria! Shame!!!

Who be you people abeg. I no follow oh!

eGuerrilla: Direct your concerns to the folks at Osundefender.

Damn this boy can dribble

You make messi look like mikel obi. Lol

eGuerrilla: While debunking the debunkable, you need to be mindful that the original article was published by a UK based newspaper.

It is actually not as uncommon, as you think, for images embedded in a syndicated news report to be altered (for effect), as it passes from one web portal to another. In my opinion, it is the sort of embellishment which sometimes leaves much to to be desired.

Are you saying that some random person photoshopped the i-phone picture and osun defender now just saw it online and published it by mistake?

Katsumoto: Apologies for referring to you as you guys.

Who led the gunmen? What accounts provide gunmen arriving at Okpara's house?

Certainly Ifeajuna was alone when he arrive at Enugu. And only a Lieutenant Oguchi was dispatched to arrest Okpara but he never arrived at Okpara's house.

Please furnish us with details of the gunmen and the leader of the said gunmen. I can furnish you with the names and rank of all those that were killed in the North and the West.

No problem bro. See below my answer to your question about the enugu incident. Ademoyega's detailed account and a couple of links proving that okpara was with the president of cyprus.

http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnews/111961/1/the-facts-and-fiction-of-the-january-15-966-coup.html

In the First Battalion in Enugu, only Major Chude-Sokei threw in his lot with them. His operational briefs were Enugu and Benin since Benin had no army formation then. But Chude-Sokei was posted to India for a course so the plotters had to hastily recruit a young Lieutenant Oguchi. (Ademoyega. pp.56 and 69).

A verbatim though lengthy quotation of Ademoyega's account of what happened on the D-day in Enugu is instructive:

'The story of the Enugu operation was punctuated by a mishap. First, Lieutenant Oguchi did not leave Lagos (he was on a course there) on January 13, as was previously planned, because his military vehicle was not ready. Finally, he left on the 14th but suffered a breakdown on the way. He eventually arrived at Enugu in the early hours of the 15th. He had borne written orders with him from Lagos. However, on his arrival at Enugu, he found the final signal that ordered him to go ahead with the execution of the tasks. He organized a small body of troops with a Land Rover and a 3-tonner.

'He sent a small detachment to the Eastern Nigerian Broadcasting Service (ENBS). This detachment seized the station, stopped the normal programme and ordered the broadcasters to play only military music while awaiting latest news from Lagos. At the same time, Oguchi himself made for the Premier's lodge. Therein, he found that he had not only the Premier, Dr. Okpara, on his hands, but also an august visitor, Archbishop Makarios, the president of Cyprus who, after the conclusion of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in Lagos on January 12, had arrived in Enugu on the 13th on a state visit. With such a man of international repute present, Lieutenant Oguchi could do no more than bide his time. A couple of hours later when the Archbishop had departed, he placed Dr. Okpara under house arrest, deploying his troops to guard the lodge. He himself went to the ENBS and made a tentative announcement that the Army had taken over power. He stopped at that while he awaited more news from Lagos. Later on, his own troops were replaced by those sent on Ironsi's orders and Dr. Okpara was transferred to a prison detention. Because of his lateness to start, Oguchi had not yet sent troops to Benin before Ironsi's men took over.' (Ademoyega. pp.82-83).

An independent source may help sceptics realize that Enugu was not deliberately excluded by the January 15 plotters in order to spare their 'own' and kill others; this comes from Matthew Mbu. In his words: 'I came back on the 6th of January and went to tell Okpara. Nobody took me serious. It was God that saved Okpara (on 15 January). At the Enugu airport the army boys asked him to alight from his official car. He was waiting for Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus who was visiting Nigeria then.

'He defied the soldiers' orders and was about to be shot when Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam (Governor of the Eastern Region) grabbed him and forced him from the car.' ('The Nation' newspaper, 5 September 2010. p.56).

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/09/balewa%E2%80%99s-death-controversy-as-an-eye-witness-the-body-i-saw-was-fresh-osoba/

http://www.history-what-if.com/952996

Katsumoto: Don't be disingenuous; take a read again. Was I making a point about the composition of the plotters or the composition of the victims? Why must one have to explain everything for you guys?

I am not sure what Max was getting at there but he clearly didn't look at the issue dispassionately. If units of armed men were sent to all the victims why was it only one very junior officer that was sent to Okpara? And whatever happened to Lieutenant Oguchi because he certainly didn't arrive at Okpara's house.

Guy who are you referring to as "you guys"? I find that a rather uncouth way to refer to a single person you are discussing with. Or are u referring to ny ethnic group?

That aside.

Why would u describe max siollun's take as "dispassionate". Gunmen arrived at okparas house and met him in the company of his guest, Archbishop Makarios the ruler of Cyprus and shrank away. Probably to avoid an international incident. Its funny how you skipped almost all my points and based your emphasis on a soft issue like the rank of the officer who was sent to Okpara's residence. You said there was no igbo phobia and I'm telling you the allegations levelled against igbos to justify allegations of an igbo conspiracy. Or are u now claiming that u are not aware of the despicable lies against igbos over their conduct after the coup?

Useni made mention of how they noticed that plateau officers were behind the murder of murtala muhammed and that when they noted the ethnicity of the people they were confused but with igbos they knew what to think.

Katsumoto: I wasn't agreeing with you. Igbo phobia was not whipped by anyone. If Zik, Orizu, Ironsi, and Okpara were eliminated then it would have been a noble coup. People would not have even minded the composition of the plotters if leaders from the East were targeted. The North and the East were in bed together. They had a lovers tiff and the Northern leaders are eliminated.

So you are saying that people were in agreement with the aims of the coup but turned against it because the perpetrators were igbo. Interesting.

Secondly there was anti-igbo propaganda flying round that a highlife record was waxed in honour of the coup, igbos were baking bread with images of ahmadu bello getting killed and a host of nonsense that nobody today has been able to substantiate. The closest I have seen is something somebody on NL tried to conjure up with utterly shameful results. If you have any evidence of this I'd honestly like to see it.

I posted a link to max siollun's book that did justice to why okpara escaped death. I believe you are familiar with the account.

Katsumoto: Nigeria is in a mess today.

Suppose a group of Hausa-Fulani (with one Yoruba officer) officers staged a coup and killed GEJ, Ihejirika, Alams, Clark, all the SE and SS governors, etc meanwhile Sambo was out of the country and no Northerners were killed. The coup either ends up being crushed and Sambo becomes president or the coup succeeds and a Hausa-Fulani officer emerged president - would we call such a coup a power grab by the Hausa-Fulani?

People celebrated because they hadn't realised who the plotters were and the ethnicity of the victims. As news filtered in, it dawned on them what had happened.

With the benefit of hindsight, the jihadist agenda exemplified by othman dan fodio, ahmadu bello's tribalistic hate speeches (including the one about southerners being subjugated with the help of minority tribes) I would definitely be alarmed.

However I think you have agreed with me in your second paragraph that what turned the revolution on its head was the fact that we are a fragile multi-ethnic society and igbo phobia was whipped up to turn public opinion against the coup. Not that the coup was unwelcome at the first.

software man: Go read Ben gbulie account. The real motive of the coup became obvious right from the next day, but what other conclusions do you expect people to come to about a coup planned by 90% of igbo officers and where the victims are 100 percent non igbos. If it was the other way round what other conclusions would you have drawn?

Of course I would be very suspicious. No doubt about that. But from accounts I've seen the initial reaction to the overthrow of the 1st republic was one generally of relief until the red flags of igbo domination were raised. The first republic was a mess. I'll look up that book and get the angle you're referring to.

slimghost: Questioning the discipline and the loyalty to the course of the igbo soldiers sent to enugu is understandable but calling the coup a power grab by igbos is outright silly!

I heard the stories of why okpara wasn't killed in the coup when his house was taken by the plotters. Here's the most recent take on it by max siollun in his book.

http://books.google.com/books?id=t5Q78sVbLakC&pg=PA54&lpg=PA54&dq=archbishop+makarios+michael+okpara&source=bl&ots=PDH-lkCZ6k&sig=RdPMrTa4jQ34qXApwIROjw8fllk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MVdIUsz6D4rm4wSqmYAw&ved=0CBAQ6AEwAQ

Katsumoto: Yeah, people couldn't analyse the event and issues on their own. You think others are as dumb as you are.

Dude fvck off with your pseudo history pulp. You are free to spin whatever tale you like about 1966 but keep your crass language to yourself

wesley80: Besides the circumstances surrouding Fajuyi's death, I dont see any huge 'revelation' from this interview. He only failed to disguise his bitterness with Igbos - as most would - which very much captures the overall feeling of Northerners that experienced Nzeogwu's lame coup.

The truth is that people were relieved at the initial success of the coup until the northern elite did what many people still do today - they spun a tale of an igbo plot for domination and its very easy to inflame passions that way especially as igbos had been on the receiving end of suspicion and antagonism in the north long before 1966.

@OP - is that first pic, that roundabout that leads to the teaching hospital? It looks very very different from when I was in nnewi last

wesley80: Makes a whole lot more sense to me. A less united Nigeria not echoing Nkrumah's unitarist chants would have appealed more to the Brits. In any case, Zik never came across as one to pander to British whim considering he had dedicated his life to fighting the colonialists. Why would he sell out with his dream within grasp?

Exactly. If someone said Zik pandered to American interests I might have considered it. If you look at the proliferation of ethnic pressure groups in the early days of nationhood you can smell the dirty, slimy hands of british interest.

uglybugz: Kamanda my point is that though no Igbo leader was killed except for Obienu, the coup wasn't initiated on tribal lines. Nigerians soldiers from diverse tribes participated and even Nigerians generally heralded the coup. However, the tribal card was played after the coup by the northern politicians who had lost out. It was they who goaded the northern military officers to react in the manner they did.
The actions of the then northern elders is similar to the attitude of today's northern elders.

That is the devil that northern elders/politicians introduced succesfully to counter the revolution of 1966 and it has been replicated severally till today. It has been a wonderful source of propaganda but the truth can't be suppressed for ever.

0lumide: Azikwe was a british agent and a british propagandist.

Azikiwe in his hunger for power killed his allies (tafawa and bello)

Here is the trick:

The Brits wanted one Nigeria, and needed and agent to force a one nigeria (Azikiwe)

Very enthusiastic theory but you would be surprised to learn that some accounts have it that awolowo was recruited by James Macpherson while he was in England to set up egbe omo oduduwa and its aggressive pro-ethnic aims in order to weaken Zik's african nationalist agenda. Zik was a follower in principle of Nkrumah of Ghana, who was a threat to the colonialists of the fading british empire.

Zik was the anti-thesis of all the british wanted in a nigerian leader.

@OP - this is the kano to lagos train about to leave minna station at about 7.30 am. The train from what I heard, arrives and leaves like clockwork. I was surprised because all we have heard is that nothing is being done etc. Honestly I think nigerians are just used to bad news. No one bothers to check.

Fundamental issues of rule of law as it applies to different groups of people must be addressed urgently. For instance, if I am found with a knife for protection in my bag it will be most likely seized and I'd be thrown in a cell, a fulani herder can carry a four foot sword and stroll past a checkpoint. Test scores are good enough for some to get admission but not good enough for others in the name of federal character.

I watched a northern airline low level worker refer to a southern passenger as "our slave" in an argument over a hajiya walking in and being led to the front of the queue. Our children should not be made to inherit silly realities like we did. SNC now !

Tribe: Igbo, Location: Abuja