IBB: The 1966 Coup Was Not an Igbo Conspiracy
Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has debunked claims that the 1966 military coup was an “Igbo coup,” emphasizing that its leader, Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, was more aligned with the Hausa culture than the Igbo identity.
In his newly released book, “A Journey in Service,” Babangida provides fresh insights into Nigeria’s first military coup, arguing that it was not driven by ethnic motives but was later hijacked by external forces.
Nzeogwu: More Hausa Than Igbo?
IBB describes Kaduna Nzeogwu, the mastermind of the coup, as someone deeply integrated into Hausa culture due to his upbringing in Kaduna.
“Nzeogwu spoke fluent Hausa and was as ‘Hausa’ as any! He and his original team probably thought, even if naively, that they could turn things around for the better in the country.”
Despite this, he condemned Nzeogwu’s assassination of Sir Ahmadu Bello and his wife, Hafsatu, calling it a heinous act that stained the coup’s original purpose.
Ethnic Complications and the Eastern Region
IBB acknowledges that, despite its intent, the coup took on an ethnic color when it became evident that there was no related military activity in the Eastern Region, leading to perceptions of an Igbo agenda.
However, he stresses that even Igbo officers fell victim to the coup.
For instance, Lt-Col. Arthur Unegbe, a top Igbo officer, was brutally executed by his own Igbo colleague, Major Chris Anuforo, over fears that he might resist the coup due to his control over military supplies.
“Some non-Igbo officers, like Major Adewale Ademoyega, Captain Ganiyu Adeleke, and Lts. Pola Oyewole and Olafimihan, took part in the failed coup.
Another officer of Igbo extraction, Major John Obienu, actually helped crush it.”
The Awolowo Factor
Another key argument against the coup being an Igbo plot, Babangida says, is that the coup leaders planned to free Chief Obafemi Awolowo from prison and make him Nigeria’s executive provisional president—despite Awolowo not being considered a strong ally of the Igbo at the time.
“This raises questions about the true motives of the coup, as the Igbo officers involved were willing to install Awolowo, a non-Igbo, as leader.”
Final Thoughts
IBB’s account challenges long-held narratives about the 1966 coup, suggesting it was not purely ethnic but later took on tribal divisions due to political interests.
His perspective adds another layer to Nigeria’s complex history, sparking further debate on how the country’s past has shaped its present.
Do you agree with IBB’s view? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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