January 15th 2020 marked the 54th anniversary of the first-ever military coup in Nigeria. I had expected to see the Nigerian government, radio and television stations run some documentaries about the coup, at least to remind the younger generation of this very important phase of our history and the need to prevent such from happening again, but nothing of such happened. Not even the online community talked about it.
One of the greatest challenges facing Nigeria as a country today is not acknowledging its past. The leaders have consistently allowed history to repeat itself, as the younger generation do not know anything about the past.
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The January 15th 1966 coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and other young officers was a revolution which aimed at ridding the polity of greedy politicians who never cared about the masses, but their pockets and their families. It was made to enthrone good governance in a hitherto broken new country, where law and order had completely broken down.
No matter the garb they wore the coup, their intention were noble, as they were on the side of the common Nigerians.
Sadly, the reasons the young officers gave for carrying out the coup is worse off than it was back then.
The endless power tussle in Western Nigeria championed by Akintola who had the backing of the Balewa Government. The jailing of Awolowo, Jakande, Akinsanya, Onitiri and the rest.
The Tiv’s demand for their political rights which were denied by the Sardauna government, and the use of force to suppress their agitation and rioting instead of creating a new region for them just like they did the Mid West then.
The manipulation of the recount census figure of 1963 and allotting 55% of the population to the North, so that NPC can maintain its hold on power at the center.
The alliance of NCNC, AG, UMBC, NEPU into UPGA, and the merger of NPC, NNDP, MDF into NNA.
The boycott of the 1964 elections by UPGA in East, partly in the West, North, Mid-West and Lagos,because of massive rigging and irregularities, and the NNA singlehandedly carrying on with the elections and even adopting the results.
The inability of Zik to assume full powers and nominate caretaker government until fresh and undisputed election is organized, and when he eventually did, on January 4th 1965, there were too many concession and compromise, which didn’t address the problem facing the country then.
By 1965, there were serious economic, social, educational and political problems in Nigeria. Corruption and nepotism were on a high.
The government institutions like the Courts, Census commission, the electoral commission, the police and the armed forces which were the hope of the masses were bastardized just like it is in Buhari’s Government of today.
The consistent announcement on radio, television and newspapers by the NPC leaders that they would rule Nigeria for the next 25 years, just as the APC of today does.
The “WETIE” riots brought about by election into Western House of Assembly, which foisted Akintola on them against their wish, and refusal of the Balewa Government to declare state of emergency to curb the serious rioting.
The Balewa’s Government plan to bring in the army fully to operate in the West for the purpose of eliminating the elites who were against Akintola. Somebody like Tai Solarin was already marked down.
All these and more necessitated the first military coup which was tagged Igbo coup.
The July counter coup and pogrom led to the civil war which the country is still reeling in .
The truth is that another revolution is imminent in Nigeria.
The elders have refused to provide meaningful leadership, and a handful of youths may yet replicate the January 15th 1966 experience.
The country is sitting on a keg of gunpowder placed at the tip of a cliff.
Everything listed as one of the reasons for the coup is on the increase today and shows no sign of abating!
Nigeria is on a brink!
By Odumodu Gbulagu
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK