Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, has
disclosed that the late Biafran leader General Chukwuemeka Ojukwu rejected
involvement in the January 1966 coup led by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu.
In an Arise TV interview, Senator Umeh cited former
President Ibrahim Babangida’s revelations as an opportunity for national
healing. “We should take advantage of this revelation and the clear statement
made by Gen Babangida to begin the process of reconciliation and healing,” he
stated.
Sen Umeh highlighted how Igbo Nigerians have faced
decades of marginalization based on misconceptions about the coup. “The Igbos
of Nigeria have been held in so much contempt with successive administrations
in Nigeria, starting from Gowon, and were put on a very dark spot in the
affairs of this country, that they organized a coup that killed some important
people in Nigeria,” he said.
The senator challenged this narrative, adding, “But
IBB’s book has exposed that the Igbos themselves crushed the 1966 coup. Major
Obienu was credited to be one person who played a very pivotal role in crushing
the coup.”
Sharing his personal conversations with Ojukwu, Umeh
revealed, “Ojukwu was a commander in Kano at the time of the coup, and I read,
and also I heard from him personally, because you know I worked with him for 5
years until his death; he was national leader of APGA, and I was National
chairman of APGA.”
The Federal Lawmaker highlighted that certain
discussions with Gen Ojukwu provided him with firsthand knowledge about a
critical historical moment before the Coup. “At various times, I discussed
these matters with him to get the truth of the matter. Ojukwu had a telephone
exchange with Major Nzeogwu, where he declined to support the coup,” he
explained.
He called for Nigerians to reconsider long-held
beliefs about Igbo intentions. “So, I would like Nigerians to bury the hatchet
and shift their mind from the narrative that the Igbos organized a coup for
selfish reasons,” he concluded.
Comments:
Leave a Reply