₦airaland Forum

nairanaira12:
Real aim my foot. Post the evidence of your real aim or just keep quiet.

igbodefender:
You don't want the world to know the real aim of the January 15, 1966 putschists, that's why you are jumping up and down abi?

Ratello:
By Eric Teniola |   04 September 2017   |   3:57 am 



On assumption of power, General Aguiyi-Ironsi promulgated the Constitution (Suspension and Modification) Decree 1966. Decree No 1 dated January 17, 1966 but not published in the Official Gazette until March 4, 1966.

Of all the decrees enacted in Nigeria, none is more controversial than Decree No 34 of 1966. It was promulgated on May 24, 1966 by then Head of State, Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi (1924-1966) . It was called Unification Decree while some critics at that time labelled it the De-unification Decree.

It was the decree that started the death of regionalism – an issue which is still generating controversy till now. Although the next head of State General Yakubu Gowon repealed the Decree 34 on August 31, 1966 through Decree 9, a large portion of the Decree is still effective till today.

General Gowon further compounded it by promulgating Decree 14 of 1967 which broke Nigeria into 12 states and provided for military governors for each state. With Decrees 34, 8 and 14 regionalism was finally buried.

On assumption of power, General Aguiyi-Ironsi promulgated the Constitution (Suspension and Modification) Decree 1966. Decree No 1 dated January 17, 1966 but not published in the Official Gazette until March 4, 1966. He then issued Public Order Decree No 33 dated May 24 1966 which dissolved eighty-one political associations and twenty-six tribal and cultural associations.

At the early stage of his tenure, he appointed a three-man advisory team made up of Chief Francis Nwokedi, a Permanent Secretary, Dr. Pius Charles Nwabafor Okigbo (1924-2000) and Colonel Patrick Anwunah, who later became Chairman and Head of the Orientation Committee at that time.

He replaced the then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Taslim Olawale Elias (1914-1991) with Chief Gabriel Chike Michael Onyiuke (SAN), former Director, Public Prosecution, Eastern Nigeria (1960-1965) from Nimo in the present Anambra state.

In a speech to the nation on January 28 1966, he denounced the evils of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa regime and outlined necessary reforms. ”All Nigerians”, he declared,” want an end to regionalism. Tribal loyalties and activities which promote tribal consciousness and sectional interests must give way to the urgent task of national reconstruction. The Federal Military Government will preserve Nigeria as one strong nation.” He then went on to promise “administrative reforms” and referred specifically to several matters in which regional as well as personal interests were known to have had decisive influence. These were official appointments, public investments, and the universities. He promised that in the public services, efficiency and merit will be the criteria for advancement”. That industrial development would be “coordinated to avoid wasteful duplication of industrial projects”, and that the universities would be “re-orientated to serve the genuine interest of our people.”

Immediately after the speech two Governors kicked against the proposal. They were, Major General David Akpode Ejoor (83) from Ovu in the present Delta State, then serving as the Military Governor of the Mid-Western region and Major General Hassan Usman Katsina(1933-1995), who was then serving as Governor of the Northern region.

Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu (1933-2011), Military Governor of Eastern Region welcomed the decree while Lt. Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi (1926-1966), Military Governor of Western Region never commented on the promulgation of the decree.

Lt-Col Ejoor was reported as saying that the ’National Government’ set up by the army was the prelude to ‘the reintroduction of a unitary form of government’ and insisted that it would create future problems. Shortly afterwards, the Supreme Military Council announced that a senior government official, Mr. Nwokedi, had been asked to consider and to report to the Supreme Military Council on the establishment of ‘an administrative machinery for a united Nigeria’ and the ‘unification of the Public Services and Judicial Services.’

In his own speech on February 19 at the Kaduna Airport, the Governor of Northern region, Lt-Col. Hassan Katsina said he was not aware as a member of the then Supreme Military Council of the modalities for the proposed National Government. ”I am afraid the egg is about to be broken”.

On February 21 1966, General Aguiyi-Ironsi again addressed the nation on the issue. He said: “On the question of the political future of the country, the experiences and mistakes of the previous governments in the Federation have clearly indicated that far-reaching constitutional reforms are badly needed for peaceful and orderly progress towards the realization of our objectives. I have already touched on some of the major issues involved in recent broadcast to the nation. It has become apparent to all Nigerians that rigid adherence to ‘regionalism’, was the bane of the last regime and one of the main factors which contributed to its downfall. No doubt, the country would welcome a clean break with the deficiencies of the system of government to which the country has been subjected in the recent past. A solution suitable to our national needs must be found. The existing boundaries of governmental control will need to be re-adjusted to make for less cumbersome administration.’

As a follow-up on May 25, General Aguiyi-Ironsi promulgated the Constitution (Suspension and Modification)(No. 5) Decree 1966. Decree No. 34 (the ‘Unification Decree’).

After the promulgation, the country was thrown into turmoil which led to demonstration particularly in many parts of Northern Nigeria at that time. On his return to Kaduna on May 27, Col. Hassan Katsina was besieged with demands for an explanation. It was feared that in a unified service, Northerners would be at a disadvantage. It was no consolation that the Decree provided for the delegation of appointments and promotions, except the most senior, to Provincial Civil Service Commissions.

With its authority challenged and shown to be weak, at least in large parts of the North, the National Military Government had little option but to proffer its assurances and to explain its actions. The Supreme Military Council met on 7 and 8 June 1966 and issued the following statement:

“The public must not be led to confuse the Military Government with government by a civilian regime under a constitution approved by the people. Nobody will expect the present Military Government to cease to function until new constitution has been approved or to be compelled to operate the old system of government with its obvious weakness. It cannot be too seriously emphasized that the Military Government while in office can only run the government as a military government under a unified command. It cannot afford to run five separate governments and separate services as if it were a civilian regime. Final decisions on the territorial structure of the country and the public services will be matters for the Constituent Assembly and the referendum.”

The Supreme Military Council also decided that General Aguiyi-Ironsi should invite traditional rulers from all parts of the country to a meeting to be held in Lagos as soon as possible and that the Military Governors would immediately summon similar meetings in their own Regions. This was presumably an attempt to improve the channels of communications. There had in fact already been a meeting of Northern Emirs and Chiefs in Kaduna on 4 of June and the Military Governor had been given a list of grievances and recommendations to take to Lagos. The Emirs and Chiefs met again on June 16 to receive General Aguiyi-Ironsi’s reply.
Sadly on 29 July 1966, General Aguiyi-Ironsi and the Military Governor of Western Region, Lt. Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi were murdered in Ibadan during a meeting with the traditional rulers from all parts of the country.

Teniola, a former director in the presidency, lives in Lagos.

https://www.google.com.ng/amp/s/guardian.ng/opinion/history-and-the-future-of-decree-34-of-1966/amp

igbodefender:
Guy, Google na your padi.

shukuokukobambi:
What aim? What evidence?

Another Santa claus fantasy. Kwantinew

nairanaira12:
Cheap cover up for your baseless claim. Your tribe brought Nigeria down. You think you can now escape the consequences of your selfish ambitions? Na lie. You aren't going anywhere

igbodefender:
Wait make I sell small markate (Igboman 'too like money'). If I come back I will post the evidence here to shame you, since you are too lazy to do a little research.

igbodefender:
Not a fantasy or a phantom. The coupists of January 15, 1966 told the world that there primary aim was to install Awolowo as Prime Minister. They intended to spring him from jail were he was after being convicted of an earlier coup plot and put him in Balewa's seat.
In that coup, both Balewa and SL Akintola who was Awo's arch rival were murdered.

PVision2020:
Igbo's always expect others to clean their mess.
Awo advocated for the Inclusion of the secession clause in the Nigeria constitution but Ziks NCNC colluded with the North to resist it and they even made it a treasonable offence. Few years later, over 3million Igbo's were sacrificed due to ZIKs foolish and myopic decision.

Agunyi Ironsi abolished regionalism for a unitary govt. to the applause of his Kinsmen in his bid for Igbo domination. Today, this same people are shouting Biafla or death, Lefelendoom, Restructuring blah blah blah.
You can't eat your cake and have it.

nairanaira12:
You be basstard if you no post evidence

MasterChen:
I like igbodefender's diplomacy sha. I doubt his ethnicity sometimes sef lol

Hoebi is another potor I lowkey respect. He gets too emotional sometimes tho

Throwback:
Igbos love everything when they are in power, but once out of power, they begin to resist the very policies they midwifed.

ratcockoduduwa:
This is the Yoruba consolation thread. The yorubas should continue masturbating over the igbo control of lagos. It won't do them any good.

ratcockoduduwa:
This is the Yoruba consolation thread. The yorubas should continue masturbating over the igbo control of lagos. It won't do them any good.

adetoya234:
My yoruba brothers went and digged up an old and forgotten story just to overcome the news of igbos dominating us in lagos.

ratcockoduduwa:
Lagos belongs to the igbos and there is nothing your tribe can do about it. Thanks for admitting that your brothers are full of hate.

adetoya234:
My yoruba brothers went and digged up an old and forgotten story just to overcome the news of igbos dominating us in lagos.

BYEI:
Keep deceiving yourself. Hope u're used to the Nigeria map?

ratcockoduduwa:
Lagos belongs to the igbos and there is nothing your tribe can do about it. Thanks for admitting that your brothers are full of hate.

PVision2020:
Igbo's always expect others to clean their mess.
Awo advocated for the Inclusion of the secession clause in the Nigeria constitution but Ziks NCNC colluded with the North to resist it and they even made it a treasonable offence. Few years later, over 3million Igbo's were sacrificed due to ZIKs foolish and myopic decision.

Agunyi Ironsi abolished regionalism for a unitary govt. to the applause of his Kinsmen in his bid for Igbo domination. Today, this same people are shouting Biafla or death, Lefelendoom, Restructuring blah blah blah.
You can't eat your cake and have it.

Michael004:
See two potor pigs trying to shift goal post

ratcockoduduwa:
Who is this obsessed fellow that has been stalking me. Go back to where you escaped from. Attention seeker
Modified
Mynd44 if i respond this things insult you will ban me for insulting your yoruba brother.

gidgiddy:
This again is another lie. Ironsi may have changed how the Regions were run, but he did not abolish them. The person who abolished the Regions was Yakubu Gowon who came in divided the 4 Regions into 12 states. Today we have 36 states.

What I dont get about Ironsi and decree 34 is that those who removed Ironsi cited this decree as one of the major reasons why the Ironsi had to go, yet they did much worse. Everyone who came after Ironsi did far much worse. Gowon created 12 states, Murtala increased it to 19 and so on. Today, we have 36 states with talk of increasing it to 54. Yet Ironsi never divided the 4 Regions he inherited.

Decree 34 was not the problem for had those who came after Ironsi not embarked on state creation, we would still be practicing Regionalism.

The turning point in the full military explosion was the enactment of the Unification Decree Non.34, 1966, which effectively made Nigeria a unitary state. It was worrisome that the negative restructuring was embarked upon without waiting for the report of the committee chaired by Williams. In his May broadcast, Ironsi declared: “Nigeria shall on the 24th May, 1966 ceased to be a federation and shall accordingly as from that day be a republic by the name of the Republic of Nigeria, consisting of the whole territory, which immediately before that day was comprised in a federation.” As federalism was abolished, the regions ceased to exist. From their ashes sprang up a group of territorial areas called provinces. Each region became a group of provinces, with a National Military Government at the centre. Ironsi also proposed a new economic plan, which never saw the light of the day.

IditaBoy:
You’re being dishonest or trying to be slick at max.



See:https://www.google.com.ng/amp/thenationonlineng.net/the-mistake-of-1966/amp/

The first emboldened states that ypur man’s decree created a unitary system. That is, in simpler terms, deflated the regions and took economic & political powers away from them thereby appropriating all of these to himself inbthe center — this is what we have been battling today with the center having its fingers in every spherebof Nigeria and being all too power; the monthly cap in hand allocation. Yes, your man Ironsi began this path towards underdevelopment.

The second emboldened says that your man, Ironsi, created provinces manned with military governors - seems to e like he abolished regionalism. He set the structure for state creation which Mr. Gowin built upon. It is all your man’s doing & fault to have set Nigeria on this path of degeneration out of greed.

Yes, I say greed because aith the unification came the collapse of the covil service into the center and all Igbos who have, since constitutional conferences of the 1920s wanted a unification system, had their wish fulfilled and spread like wildfire into other regions taking up jobs. Something strange but backed by their son’s Decree 34.

Read: Groundwork of Nigeria History, specifically the part about Constitutional Development of Nigeria.

The North, through Gowon, got into power saw the benefits Ironsi had accrued to the Igbos in this new unitary system and proceeded to following it through, to their own advantage of course and over the decades we have continued to have a unitary Nigeria laden with Northern hegemony. Something you lot contiue to whine over claiming marginalisation of a system you started with hopes to benefit from and lost.

See Nnamdi Azikiwe’s God of Igbo Speech.

BYEI:
Keep deceiving yourself. Hope u're used to the Nigeria map?

IditaBoy:
You’re being dishonest or trying to be slick at max.



See:https://www.google.com.ng/amp/thenationonlineng.net/the-mistake-of-1966/amp/

The first emboldened states that ypur man’s decree created a unitary system. That is, in simpler terms, deflated the regions and took economic & political powers away from them thereby appropriating all of these to himself inbthe center — this is what we have been battling today with the center having its fingers in every spherebof Nigeria and being all too power; the monthly cap in hand allocation. Yes, your man Ironsi began this path towards underdevelopment.

The second emboldened says that your man, Ironsi, created provinces manned with military governors - seems to e like he abolished regionalism. He set the structure for state creation which Mr. Gowin built upon. It is all your man’s doing & fault to have set Nigeria on this path of degeneration out of greed.

Yes, I say greed because aith the unification came the collapse of the covil service into the center and all Igbos who have, since constitutional conferences of the 1920s wanted a unification system, had their wish fulfilled and spread like wildfire into other regions taking up jobs. Something strange but backed by their son’s Decree 34.

Read: Groundwork of Nigeria History, specifically the part about Constitutional Development of Nigeria.

The North, through Gowon, got into power saw the benefits Ironsi had accrued to the Igbos in this new unitary system and proceeded to following it through, to their own advantage of course and over the decades we have continued to have a unitary Nigeria laden with Northern hegemony. Something you lot contiue to whine over claiming marginalisation of a system you started with hopes to benefit from and lost.

See Nnamdi Azikiwe’s God of Igbo Speech.