Umuahia, Nigeria – February 26, 2025
Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Engr. Chinedum Orji, has described the recent revelation by former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), on the 1966 coup as a development that elicits a complex mix of emotions—shock, vindication, relief, and a renewed national debate on Nigeria’s political history.
Reacting to IBB’s disclosure, which shed new light on the events surrounding the first military coup in Nigeria, Engr. Orji stated that for decades, the 1966 coup had been a subject of intense controversy, speculation, and historical interpretation. According to him, Babangida’s revelation brings forth new perspectives that will force Nigerians to reassess their understanding of that critical moment in history.
“For many, the details shared by IBB come as a shock, revealing aspects of the coup that had either been concealed or misunderstood. For others, it serves as a vindication of long-held positions regarding the true motivations and actors behind the coup. While some will feel a sense of relief that the truth is finally emerging, others will see this as an opportunity to reopen old wounds and re-examine Nigeria’s historical trajectory,” Orji remarked.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s past, no matter how painful, must serve as a lesson for its future. He called on historians, scholars, and political analysts to engage constructively with the new information rather than allow it to further divide the nation.
“The 1966 coup set off a chain of events that shaped Nigeria’s political evolution, leading to civil unrest, counter-coups, and ultimately the Civil War. As we digest IBB’s revelations, we must not allow history to be weaponized but rather use it as a tool for national unity and progress,” he added.
Orji further noted that Babangida’s revelations have vindicated the Igbo people, who have long argued that the coup was never an ethnic agenda but rather a radical attempt to address corruption and bad governance at the time. For decades, the coup had been misrepresented as an Igbo conspiracy, leading to untold marginalization and distrust. With IBB’s testimony, it is now clear that the 1966 coup was neither a tribal nor sectional movement but a military intervention driven by young idealists from different regions who sought national reform.
He emphasized that this new perspective should serve as a foundation for reconciliation, urging Nigerians to move past historical misconceptions. "The Igbo have endured decades of political exclusion based on narratives that are now being proven false. This revelation is a call for justice, inclusiveness, and the rewriting of Nigeria’s history to reflect the truth. Let us use this opportunity to forge a united Nigeria where every region feels a sense of belonging," Orji stated.
As reactions continue to pour in from across the nation, it is evident that Babangida’s revelation has reignited discussions about Nigeria’s past leadership, military interventions, and the lessons that should guide the country moving forward.
0 Comments