₦airaland Forum

wirinet:
If Ironsi was not ambitious and he wanted to undemocratically sit on the iron throne, he would have simply arrested the coupists, try them and punish those found guilty. He should have allowed the constitution run its natural course.
He had no business suspending the constitution and promulgating decree 34.

If it was me, I would have arrested all the murderous coup plotters, publicly try them and publicly execute those found guilty, all these within 1 month.

I would then tell the politicians to continue according to laid down rules. Deputy prime minister take over at the national level and deputy premiers take over at regional level. Afterall Mike opara was left unscathed, what stops ironsi from allowing mike Opera to continue as premier of the eastern region.

Finally, I will order the military back to the barracks to await further directions from the incoming civilian administration.

If Ironsi had done all these, he would have been elevated to the status of Mandela in the world.

Hmm I don't know where to begin. You claimed that decree 34 was the problem so I asked you what you would have done to bring back order when the nation was in chaos and you are talking about punishment.

Before for you get to punishment part, how would you have first brought things under control without issuing a decree that overruled the preexisting civilian leadership?

keep in mind that the civilian leadership was in shambles at that time and politians all over the country were scared. Even months before the coup by nzeogu, there was operation wetie in the SW.

The nation was in Chaos. How would you have brought things under control?

PrecisionFx:
why are u insisting that u must be idiotic

Ironsi met 4 regions n maintained it till the day he died. He only unified the military paramilitary n police n brought them under the centre in order to restore n maintain peace.

Till gowon died, The 4 regions in Nigeria submitted 30% of their revenue to the FG n kept back 70% to develop their region.

IGBOS never needed an end to regional gov't because eastern nigeria was Far wealthier than Yoruba n Awusa regions so it would be stupid for igbos to submit their wealth for development of Yoruba n Hausa regions.

I am tired of explaining to you guys that decree 34 effectively destroyed the regional structure of Nigerian. It seems you guys just hold on to the dogma that unification is equal to regionalism and are ready to defend that illogical belief with your lives.

I had advised you guys to read decree 34 of 1966, but you will not. Well, if you cannot find it, I will help you with a link;
https://dawodu.com/decree34.htm

Please read it to know the implication of the decree.

The region's changed from 3 to 4 in 1962, with the creation of Midwest Region, that did not change nigeria's government structure. Even if we had 36 regions then operating the 1959 constitution, our government structure would not have changed. Removing power from 4 regions and replacing it with 4 states subservient to the central government significantly changes the governmental structure.

Plz I want Igbo president to rule this country, just tire of just tired of this lifeless rule and afonjas of a thing.

mywells:
Plz I want Igbo president to rule this country, just tire of just tired of this lifeless rule and afonjas of a thing.

Igbo's can't rule because they ar not serious, moreover they said they ain't interested in d seat.

Uchek:
Ironsi is not the founder of unitary system of government. Gowon/Awolowo government destroyed Nigeria's federalism. Go educate yourself for the benefit of your unborn generation.

Your comment clearly shows that you've not read enough about Ironsi.

And ibgo people are hailing TY danjumma for hate speech about fg forgetting that he is the one who lead the squad that kill ironsi when everyone is afraid by then...

Xander85:
You schmucks find it so convenient to blame Ndigbo (that you've schemed out of power since 1966) for all the woes of your cursed country! It's not Hausa/Fulani or Yoruba fault but it's Igbos fault that Nigeria is a shithole abi?

Ironsi, as naive as he was, only played with the cards he was dealt. However, with the benefit of hindsight it's obvious he didn't appreciate fully the level of malcontent in the north, and this is borne out of the fact that his body guard was a northerner and he felt safe and cosy with his eventual killers right up to the time they pulled their guns out on him!

If you want to blame anyone, blame Nzeogwu and his fellow idealists who included soldiers from other ethnicities as well!

Just what is it that Igbos and Ironsi did in 1966 that you 'angels' can't undo 52 years after? Fact of the matter is you love the present status-quo in which Nigeria is operating a unitary form of gov't in all but name, as it means you can maintain your control of the cash cow of the country and hold other regions down to move at your own snail pace! This is why being president is the be-all-and-end-all for una!

Well said sir...

Uchek:
Ironsi is not the founder of unitary system of government. Gowon/Awolowo government destroyed Nigeria's federalism. Go educate yourself for the benefit of your unborn generation.

You're the ignorant one here. Kindly explain how Awolowo/Gowon destroyed Nigeria's federalism. How could Awolowi who was by far the best regional head and his region being the most developed of the regions in the country connive to destroy that system. Think bro, think. Ironsi contributed immensely to the rot in the system today, the North saw it as an opportunity to rule even with lesser intellectual capacity and the result is what we're all seeing now.

albaniy1:
And ibgo people are hailing TY danjumma for hate speech about fg forgetting that he is the one who lead the squad that kill ironsi when everyone is afraid by then...

They simply lack focus of what they want in Nigeria

ShinskeNakamura:
You know the oil soup lickers usually think they are smart. But 2023 will teach them a very bitter lesson. Lets see how a Yoruba man will ever rule this country again!

Kindly explain how a Yoruba man can't rule again or in 2023 and 8 years thereafter. You lack wisdom. Stop being emotional! Tell me an Igbo man qualified for 2023 presidency and I'll show you 5-7 Yoruba men more qualified. Stop being headstrong and strive to be better for the good of society.

edupedia:
...is that reason for your ethnic-minded coup of January 15th 1966?....your small-mindedness in all things political in Nigeria has become a generational curse on some people...

'My ethnic-minded coup....'? Dude, what are you smoking?

Care to point out the time Ndigbo conducted a meeting or plebiscite and instructed Nzeogwu and his fellow coupists (who i reiterate were made up of soldiers from other ethnic grps) to go and do what they did?

You evil lot are just grasping at straws in your attempt to paint Igbos as the big bad Ogre and problem you have in Nigeria! Pity Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani can't have a country of their own devoid of the 'pesky nya-miris/yi-bos'....it would probably be El-Dorado innit? Funny thing is that none of you are supporting the secessionist agenda of IPOB/MASSOB which could hep see you rid of those you despise for ever!

horsepower101:
Hmm I don't know where to begin. You claimed that decree 34 was the problem so I asked you what you would have done to bring back order when the nation was in chaos and you are talking about punishment.

Before for you get to punishment part, how would you have first brought things under control without issuing a decree that overruled the preexisting civilian leadership?

keep in mind that the civilian leadership was in shambles at that time and politians all over the country were scared. Even months before the coup by nzeogu, there was operation wetie in the SW.

The nation was in Chaos. How would you have brought things under control?

That is the more reason he should not have promulgated the decree. The civilian govt was in shambles. They pose no threat to him, the constitution had no authority because the civilian administration has gone into hiding. The threat was from the Military boys. He should have killed the coupists, get the boys back into the barracks, reassure the safety of the politicians and get them back to work.

cescky:
I guess this is an achievement..and it guarantee heaven and success in your endeavours..

Poverty of the mind is a curse

If its not an achievement, why are Igbos crying for it?

albaniy1:
And ibgo people are hailing TY danjumma for hate speech about fg forgetting that he is the one who lead the squad that kill ironsi when everyone is afraid by then...

There's a world of difference between Danjuma and Buhari! Danjuma isn't rubbing his crime in our faces and telling us by words and actions that he considers us a conquered people and hates us with passion from the late 60s to date!

Racoon:
And so why is the APC lying as usual to use the presidency as a bargaining chip for 2019

because the jobless aggressive lazy idiotic pigs of Biafra terrorist have not change.

Renounce your propaganda and let's move this country forward together,
And stop the ethnic hatred.

1miccza:
Why is it that peeps like you enjoy disturbing a sane conversation between two matured adults, can you just keep your thoughts to yourself and let others do the same??

Why point me out, is he the only one discussing tribalism here? What about Xander? Rubbish!

Arkmanbuddy:
Why point me out, is he the only one discussing tribalism here? What about Xander? Rubbish!

Even at that it's their conversation between both of them , i also would have jumped in but i felt it's their discussion i hold my own view, that makes us all adults na their wahala now..

1miccza:
Even at that it's their conversation between both of them , i also would have jumped in but i felt it's their discussion i hold my own view, that makes us all adults na their wahala now..

I just hope for a day we can discuss real issues bothering us and the future of this country without being tribalistic.

Sorry for the outburst brother.

wirinet:
I am tired of explaining to you guys that decree 34 effectively destroyed the regional structure of Nigerian. It seems you guys just hold on to the dogma that unification is equal to regionalism and are ready to defend that illogical belief with your lives.

I had advised you guys to read decree 34 of 1966, but you will not. Well, if you cannot find it, I will help you with a link;
https://dawodu.com/decree34.htm

Please read it to know the implication of the decree.

The region's changed from 3 to 4 in 1962, with the creation of Midwest Region, that did not change nigeria's government structure. Even if we had 36 regions then operating the 1959 constitution, our government structure would not have changed. Removing power from 4 regions and replacing it with 4 states subservient to the central government significantly changes the governmental structure.

You guys are funny! It's easy to pick holes at the actions or inactions of Ironsi as you have the benefit of hindsight! Who knows how things would have panned out if the northern soldiers hadn't been hell-bent on visiting retribution on anyone perceived to be Igbo for the sins of a few soldiers who were from other ethnic groups as well!

I know your next line of argument would be that Ironsi should have had the coupists tried and executed to calm things. Probably so, but this is where his naivety comes in. He didn't chose that option out of malice towards northern muslims and wanting to 'protect' his kinsfolk as i'm sure you want to suggest, and this can be seen in how he naively trusted and surrounded himself with northerners right up till his death. He didn't seem to appreciate the fact northern muslim soldiers had it in for him...this gullible, naive and trusting nature has been a problem i've noticed with many politicians from the east in their relations with those from other ethnic grps in Nigeria!

This unification thing you keep on harping on about; when the decree was promulgated, did it also distort the fiscal set-up of the federation? If it did, care to tell me how the Eastern Region that was comfortable with the formula at the time would have benefited from said unification decree?

Fact of the matter is whatever misgivings one has on the actions of Ironsi, it should be noted that whatever he did or didn't do wasn't because there was a clandestine plan by Ndigbo to take advantage of the situation to dominate everyone else. But something tells me due to you rabid hate and suspicion for Ndigbo, you'd beg to differ!

How long was did Ironsi rule Nigeria?
How long did Unitary system of govt thrive in Nigeria?
What system of Govt is practiced in Nigeria today?
You may please broaden your search for the root course of Nigeria PROBLEM

BALLOSKI:
Here's the founder of unitary system of government.



But na him people de scream marginalization pass. They always forget how they helped to create the mess we are in today - but turn around to blame everyone for their woes.

But under his unitary govt. Things were A okay.

ShinskeNakamura:
You know the oil soup lickers usually think they are smart. But 2023 will teach them a very bitter lesson. Lets see how a Yoruba man will ever rule this country again!

OK
...watching in 3d, not so far...

PrecisionFx:
"" I’ve singing this to everyone who wants to hear. Aguiyi Ironsi and Ojukwu put the Igbos in this mess ""

That is why ur name is Bisi.

Nigeria is the mess and igbos being in Nigeria is the greatest mess we have found ourselves. Ojukwu saw 2018 over 50 years ago n tried to save igbos from this dooms day we find ourselves today.




"" If only he tried and killed the coup plotters of January 66""

U mean Ironsi would have killed major Ademoyega, Captain Adeleke, Awolowo, Kaduna Nzeogbu, Victor Banjo, Ifeajuna, Hassan Kastina, Major Okafor Etc?

Oga mind u, my name being Bisi doesn’t mean I’m Yoruba. I can be as Igbo as u are, I just chose to tell it as it is.
2ndly, the penalty for coup plotting is death, not imprisonment.

And yes Ojukwu is partly responsible. Who goes to war without backup? That’s is stupidity. And then when he got d slightest inclination Biafra would lose, he handed over to Effiong and exiled like Nnamdi Kanu has done. What if Edfiong was executed by Gowon? Quote me, until Igbos have people who are willing to die for the cause, Biafra can never be actualised.

This is one of those historical photos.

Rare pictures!

Nigeria need to develop good museum to keep all this treasures of photograph.

The other day nairaland publish a LETTER OF PLEA that was written by the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo to the then Head of State, General Ironsi seeking for pardon for himself and others that was incarcerated for treason.

These are very important letters that should be well archived. But are we thinking about how we can developed a good storage system for them that will also serve as a money spinner? Our politicians are still dreaming of sweet crude!

What about the OGBONIGWE BOMB develop by the Biafran during the Nigeria vs Biafra civil war.

After the war, all the technologies that was fabricated by the Igbos were not developed for the overall national interest.

OUR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP ARE TOO BUSY DREAMING OF SWEET CRUDE ( PETROLEUM ) THAN THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX TO SAVE OUR HISTORICAL TREASURES.

As long as crude oil is available for them from the Niger delta to sell and loot the money they can not think of other way to generate national wealth.

redflame:
The 5 majors were initially cheered by the general public and media organizations, so don't blame ironsi for not executing them immediately.

Which general public? Only a section. Coup plotting is punishable by death regardless. Especially when they didn’t even kill one Igbo personality. 2, these coup plotters were imprisoned in Enugu where they were living like kings.

Arkmanbuddy:
I just hope for a day we can discuss real issues bothering us and the future of this country without being tribalistic.

Sorry for the outburst brother.

No offence taken bro , na man we all be jaree.. Bless up bro..

Xander85:
You guys are funny! It's easy to pick holes at the actions or inactions of Ironsi as you have the benefit of hindsight! Who knows how things would have panned out if the northern soldiers hadn't been hell-bent on visiting retribution on anyone perceived to be Igbo for the sins of a few soldiers who were from other ethnic groups as well!

Forget hindsight. If you do the right things history and fate will likely be kind on you, but when you take wrong actions, you look to hindsight to determine the effect of your decisions.
You make it seem like northern soldiers started taking revenge the very next day after the coup. Northern soldiers started taking revenge on igbo soldiers and people a full six months after the coup. Ironsi having been in power for six months did nothing to pacify northern soldiers and people, whose military and political leaders had been murdered in cold blood. This was what lead to the anger that resulted in the killing of igbos in the north.

I know your next line of argument would be that Ironsi should have had the coupists tried and executed to calm things. Probably so, but this is where his naivety comes in. He didn't chose that option out of malice towards northern muslims and wanting to 'protect' his kinsfolk as i'm sure you want to suggest, and this can be seen in how he naively trusted and surrounded himself with northerners right up till his death. He didn't seem to appreciate the fact northern muslim soldiers had it in for him...this gullible, naive and trusting nature has been a problem i've noticed with many politicians from the east in their relations with those from other ethnic grps in Nigeria!

I never said the part of bolded, what I said was that Ironsi was power drunk. He took advantage of the situation to capture and hold unto power.

There was a lot of anger, animosity and suspicions after the January coup. He did nothing to ease the tension.

No major political or military leader from the eastern region was touched by the January coup, which was perceived to have been carried our by igbo officers and the beneficiary of the coup was an igbo general, so naturally there would be anger, tension and suspicions.

This unification thing you keep on harping on about; when the decree was promulgated, did it also distort the fiscal set-up of the federation? If it did, care to tell me how the Eastern Region that was comfortable with the formula at the time would have benefited from said unification decree?

Fact of the matter is whatever misgivings one has on the actions of Ironsi, it should be noted that whatever he did or didn't do wasn't because there was a clandestine plan by Ndigbo to take advantage of the situation to dominate everyone else. But something tells me due to you rabid hate and suspicion for Ndigbo, you'd beg to differ!

There you go again playing the victim card. Why would anyone hate the igbos. We are discussing politics and you are talking about hatred. Am I a politician?

BALLOSKI:
Here's the founder of unitary system of government.



But na him people de scream marginalization pass. They always forget how they helped to create the mess we are in today - but turn around to blame everyone for their woes.

Yes... even in the graveyard Ironsi will not regret that system of govt he created. Unitary govt. was supposed to be the best for Nigeria, going by the different pieces of shit Lord Lugard gathered from all over West African Sahara & joined to the economically sound & progressive Southern Nigeria in 1914 in the name of amalgamation !!!
Little did he (Ironsi) nor anyone else from our divide know that he (Lugard) only brought urchins, vampires n jihadists into our midsts and same have turned around to transform "us" into slaves n fifth-class citizens in our own lands !!

RillJ:
How long was did Ironsi rule Nigeria?
How long did Unitary system of govt thrive in Nigeria?
What system of Govt is practiced in Nigeria today?
You may please broaden your search for the root course of Nigeria PROBLEM

even if he was there for one day, what he introduced killed Nigeria. The unitary system is still here till today.

Shame iBB did not poison the fool's plate, would have saved Nigeria the headache of the worst desk-clerk head of state in history!

Xander85:
They were both naive and wanted to be more Nigerian than their contemporaries who were more their ethnic groups before considering Nigeria!

Can you imagine there has been no Igbo head of state or president since this man!? And it's all the more mind-boggling when you consider who where the personalities and what groups championed Nigerias' 'independence' and were visiting London for all those constitutional conferences in the 50s.

No! The reason why they wanted to be more Nigerians than their contemporaries was because of their belief that their tribe alone would be ruling Nigeria for ever.
Their ultimate goal was to dominate the country. That statement was made in the early 40s by an Igbo politician and reemphasized by Zik in 1963, after he had become the governor general. He even established a university in the eastern region in the 50s when he was the premier of the region and named it 'university of Nigeria'.
That domineering agenda was followed up 1966, when ironsi and some Igbo soldiers led by Nzeogwu Kaduna struck. Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Ladoke Akintola and other top politicians from the north and west were killed while no easterner was killed. Ironsi went ahead to dismantle the federal structure that had been on ground. With decree number 34, he unified the whole country to himself. Out of 33 officers he promoted, 29 of them were Igbo.
Igbo in the north started making unguarded and provocative statement that they owned Nigeria. This was what sparked Kano riots of 1966, when a large number of Igbo were massacred in the north.
All these made the northerners felt that southerners would dominate them, which led to another military coup by mainly northern soldiers in July 1966.
When Igbo saw that power has fallen from their hand, we all know what happened: Declaration of biafran republic in 1967, which led to civil war.

You can argue with your key pads or go and ask your history teacher.. It is a fact of history. I don talk my own.

gurnam:
Which agreement and which other tribe ?

The truth is your fathers lost the war woefully so and therefore will look for all excuses to justify such a terrible lost.
There was NEVER any agreeement whatsoever with any other tribe, if you are calling the admonition that Awo have to the FG that Nigeria should not push igbos out of Nigeria or else he will have no choice but to take yorubas too out of Nigeria as an agreement then you lack comprehension.

You fathers lost the the first and only war they’ve ever engaged woefully and it has nothing to do with yorubas.

You igbos we’re doing very well in the northern flank at the beginning of the war until you decided to bring Yorubas into the war by opening another flank towards the SW. if you’ve concentrated and face the northern flank, perhaps the story could have been different

Read more history books and not the ones written by Achebe and stories from your uncles that lost the war.

Nice argument, at the bolded.

IN the early part of the war, the Midwest was neutral, the SW was ambivalent, the North was comitted....it was the invasion of the Midwestern region and the Western Region that completely changed things ....

1.The Federal Govt declared TOTAL WAR (initially it was a 'police action')
2.South Western leaders threw their weight behind the war effort.
3.The Midwest became solidly pro-Federal.