The Coup That Was Never Igbo And The Lie That Lasted Too Long

The Coup That Was Never Igbo And The Lie That Lasted Too Long   For decades, the January 15 1966 coup has been coated with the thick paint o...

The Coup That Was Never Igbo And The Lie That Lasted Too Long  

For decades, the January 15 1966 coup has been coated with the thick paint of propaganda, turning the truth into a shadow of itself. Those who control the Nigerian media, predominantly Yoruba voices, crafted a narrative so deceptive that it became "history." Like a pot of soup seasoned with lies, the concoction has been served to generations, making many believe it was an "Igbo coup." But history, no matter how delayed, has a way of showing up uninvited—unyielding and unbowed.  

The events of 1966 were not the handiwork of Igbo officers scheming for ethnic dominance, as the British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) and Nigerian mainstream narrative claims. Instead, it was a power play by Yoruba military officers, with the objective of overthrowing the Tafawa Balewa government and enthroning their imprisoned leader, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Like a well-orchestrated symphony, the plan was composed with precision except it hit the wrong note when it failed. And when the music stopped, those who played the loudest instruments disappeared into silence, leaving Igbo officers like Major Kaduna Nzeogwu to face the storm.  

The Yoruba media wasted no time in twisting the narrative. Overnight, what was a failed attempt to free Awolowo became an "Igbo coup." It was as if a man stole a goat, but when caught, pointed at an innocent bystander, crying, "Thief! Thief!" and the crowd, without asking questions, descended on the wrong man.

  

At the time of the coup, Awolowo sat in Calabar prison, convicted of treason by the very government the plotters sought to overthrow. The mission was simple: topple the Northern-led government, free Awolowo, and position him as the new leader of Nigeria. The likes of Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun, a Yoruba officer, were deeply involved in the plot, but when things went south, they all took cover, leaving the Igbo officers to bear the brunt.  

Had the coup succeeded, Awolowo would have emerged from his cell not as a prisoner but as Nigeria’s new prime minister. But when it failed, the Yoruba washed their hands like Pontius Pilate, leaving Igbo officers to be crucified on the altar of ethnic scapegoating. The propaganda machine kicked into full gear, turning the failed Yoruba coup into an "Igbo coup", igniting ethnic hatred, and paving the way for massacres against Igbos in the North.  

For years, voices like that of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu have cried out against this falsehood, but the drums of propaganda have always been louder. However, history is like smoke it may be covered, but it always finds a way to escape.  

In his book, A Journey in Service, former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), confirms what has long been known: the January 1966 coup was never an Igbo agenda. His revelations goes further, exposing an even greater injustice. According to IBB, Ojukwu was not merely upset because an Igbo general, Aguiyi-Ironsi was killed. He was enraged because Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, the most senior officer at the time, was sidelined and power was instead handed to Yakubu Gowon, a junior officer, in complete violation of military hierarchy.  

The injustice did not stop there. Babangida also confirms that Nigeria’s bloodiest war, the Biafra War, could have been avoided had Gowon honored the Aburi Accord. The agreement reached in Ghana between Biafran and Nigerian leaders was designed to prevent war. But like a man who swears before the gods and then breaks his oath at dusk, Gowon discarded the accord, dragging Nigeria into unnecessary bloodshed.  

  

The Igbo people were falsely accused of staging a coup for selfish ethnic reasons. Yet, history has now exonerated them. The real plotters those who sought to free Awolowo and seize power hid behind decades of deception. But as the saying goes, "No matter how fast a lie runs, the truth will always catch up."  

The Yoruba-led January 1966 coup failed, and in its failure, it became an "Igbo coup" in the mouths of propagandists. That single deception triggered a domino effect ethnic massacres, betrayals, and ultimately, war.  

But today, the masquerade of lies has danced for too long, and history has pulled off its mask. The truth now stands, unshaken and unyielding.  

The Igbo people have been vindicated. The falsehood has collapsed. And the world has finally seen the truth.

Family Writers Press International.