A former political figure, Ikechukwu, has described the 1966 military coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu as a major setback that had lasting negative consequences for the Igbo people.
Ikechukwu, while reflecting on the events surrounding the coup, criticised Nzeogwu’s role in the military intervention, describing his actions as reckless and arguing that they contributed significantly to the challenges faced by the Igbo community in the aftermath of the event.
The 1966 coup, which led to the overthrow of Nigeria’s First Republic government, remains one of the country’s most controversial historical episodes, with debates continuing over its impact on national unity, ethnic relations and the political trajectory of Nigeria.
According to Ikechukwu, the coup created circumstances that affected the social and political standing of the Igbo people, adding that the consequences of the event continued to shape perceptions and relationships across the country.
He stressed the need for Nigerians to learn from the nation’s history, warning against actions that could threaten unity, stability and peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups.Nzeogwu was a Major. He killed some of the most respected Nigerians. His colleagues didn’t kill those they were asked to kill, and because of the ethnic connection, they say, ‘Oh, it’s their brothers they spared’. But what’s the profile of the man behind it?You’re addressing Brigadiers-General. You are not even a Lieutenant-Colonel,” Ikechukwu said.
“As a soldier, you know that a senior officer does not take instructions from a junior officer.
“So, for a Major in the Nigerian Army to enter a radio station, announce he had taken over, and then in the process of that announcement, is instructing the GOCs to take over and be in charge of the areas.
The comments come amid ongoing discussions about Nigeria’s political history and the role of past military interventions in shaping the country’s development.
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