AGUIYI-IRONSI’S FAMILY PRESSES FOR COMPENSATION, APOLOGY OVER 1966 COUNTER-COUP
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology, pay compensation and initiate reconciliation efforts over his assassination during the 1966 counter-coup.
The call was made by the head of the family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs an apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need a sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
Imo described the late Head of State as a visionary and detribalised leader who was unfairly blamed for the January 1966 coup despite having no involvement in its planning.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalised Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
He noted that Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Head of State for only six months before he was killed.
“He occupied the seat of Head of State for only six months, and he was taken away from us.
“Not because of a sin he committed, because he wasn’t part of the January 1966 coup,” he added.
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi became a target solely because he was the most senior military officer at the time and was asked to assume leadership following the coup.
“Only because of his position as the most senior military officer, he was told to take charge. And then that cost him his life,” he said.
Imo expressed hope that those in positions of authority would consider the family’s appeal for justice and reconciliation.
Aguiyi-Ironsi became Nigeria’s Head of State on January 16, 1966, following the January 15 military coup that claimed the lives of several political leaders.
Although he survived the coup and moved to restore order, his administration faced criticism over the promulgation of Decree No. 34, which sought to unify Nigeria’s federal structure, and his decision not to prosecute the coup plotters. These actions fuelled resentment among some northern military officers.
He was assassinated on July 29, 1966, alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, during a mutiny by northern soldiers that later became known as the July 1966 counter-coup.
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