Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has added a new perspective to the 1966 military coup led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, which has long been labeled an “Igbo coup.”
Kalu, representing Abia North in the Senate, was reacting to revelations in Journey in Service, a book authored by former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, and recently launched in Abuja. Babangida’s account has sparked widespread debate, particularly his claim that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo-led conspiracy, as widely believed.
Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Kalu argued that Babangida’s book left out key details, including the alleged involvement of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“When I said the stories are not complete, I meant President Babangida should have written more. There’s more to the story,” Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, said.
He claimed that many high-ranking military officers at the time, including Obasanjo, were aware of the coup.
“President Obasanjo was part of the coup, but he exonerated himself, as usual,” Kalu stated. “If you ask those who were in the military, they will tell you. He came back from India, how could he not have known about the coup?”
Kalu also defended the Igbo people, arguing that the coup had been unfairly attributed to them.
“Nigerians have not been fair to Babangida. He revealed what no one else has dared to say. People held the Igbo responsible for the coup, but it was not an Igbo coup. Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, though Igbo by origin, was raised in Kaduna and did not even speak Igbo,” he explained.
According to Kalu, the coup only failed because certain officers did not carry out their part of the plan.
“If they had gone ahead with the coup in Eastern Nigeria, there wouldn’t have been a problem,” he concluded.
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
