On the 58th anniversary of the 1966 military coup, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a significant group representing the interests of northern Nigeria, expressed that the region is still reeling from the long-lasting effects of the coup. The ACF argues that the coup, which resulted in the assassination of some of the region’s most influential figures, dealt a severe blow to the region’s political and military landscape, an injury from which it is still recovering.
ACF’s Opposition to Historical Revisionism
ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, while commemorating the fallen heroes, stressed the importance of the event in the history of the North. The ACF staunchly opposes any attempts to rewrite the history surrounding the coup, believing it to be crucial to remember the incident and its aftermath to prevent a recurrence in the future.
Recollecting the 1966 Coup
The 1966 coup, led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna, was a turning point in Nigeria’s history. The ACF pointed out that the coup put an end to the promising political and military careers of the region’s most distinguished individuals, a loss that the region has not yet overcome.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Position
In contrast to the ACF’s perspective, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the primary socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, asserted that the Igbo were not responsible for the 1966 coup. Iwuanyanwu highlighted the nature of the Igbo people, stating their unwavering loyalty to Nigeria’s constitution and their resilience in thriving in any part of the country, regardless of the circumstances.
