In a bold move that has reignited national discussions on Nigeria’s painful history, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex body representing the Igbo people, has demanded a formal apology and ₦10 trillion in compensation from President Bola Tinubu for the role of the Nigerian government in the aftermath of the 1966 coup, a pivotal moment that ultimately led to the Biafra War.
The call follows a landmark statement by former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, who, during the launch of his memoir, “A Journey in Service,” unequivocally dismissed the long-standing claim that the coup, which took place on January 15, 1966, was an “Igbo coup.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Deputy National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, praised General Babangida for his “courageous and timely” admission but emphasized that the acknowledgement was only the beginning of a larger journey towards justice. Isiguzoro, speaking on behalf of the organization, argued that the Igbo nation continues to bear the scars of the repercussions that followed the coup, especially the widespread killings and the infamous Biafra War.
“This historical misrepresentation of the coup as an Igbo plot led to catastrophic events for our people. Thousands of innocent lives were lost during the bloody reprisals that followed the coup. Moreover, three million Igbos, mainly women and children, were slaughtered during the Biafra War, an atrocity that continues to haunt the collective memory of our people,” Isiguzoro said.
He further emphasized that the demand for ₦10 trillion in compensation is not arbitrary. Instead, it serves as a symbolic recognition of the immense suffering that the Igbo people endured and continue to endure in the aftermath of the violence, displacement, and economic devastation triggered by the war.
The Biafra War, which raged from 1967 to 1970, saw the Federal Government of Nigeria under General Yakubu Gowon engage in a brutal campaign against the secessionist Igbo-led Biafran Republic. The war ended with the surrender of Biafra, but the destruction it caused, particularly in Igbo communities, has left lasting trauma. The massacres, the starvation caused by the blockade, and the scorched-earth tactics used during the conflict have all contributed to an enduring sense of injustice within the Igbo people.
“The figures we are demanding are not just numbers. They are a reflection of the pain, the deaths, the loss of property, and the destruction of an entire generation. We need to send a strong message that history cannot be erased or swept under the rug,” Isiguzoro continued.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has consistently highlighted the challenges faced by the Igbo people since the war’s conclusion. From the political exclusion of Igbos from key positions of power to the economic marginalization evident in the region’s infrastructure deficits, Ohanaeze argues that the Igbo have never fully recovered from the impact of the coup and its aftermath.
“Look at the state of our infrastructure. We have the smallest representation of states in the Nigerian federation. Our ports are underutilized, and we have no major international airport in the Southeast. These are not just the results of neglect, but of deliberate policies aimed at keeping the Igbo people down,” Isiguzoro asserted.
The call for reparations is not a new one. Ohanaeze Ndigbo first brought up the demand for compensation in the late 1990s, particularly during the hearings of the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa-led Commission for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations. That commission, which was established to investigate atrocities committed during Nigeria’s military regimes, ultimately failed to secure meaningful reparations for the victims, leaving many of their calls for justice unanswered.
Now, as General Babangida’s revelations shine a light on the enduring injustices faced by the Igbo, Ohanaeze has renewed its demand for compensation and an apology from the Federal Government. According to Isiguzoro, President Tinubu must use his position to right the wrongs of the past.
“While we extend forgiveness to General Babangida and those who were involved in the tragic events that unfolded in the 1960s and 70s, this is a moment for President Tinubu to lead the nation in an honest reckoning with our past. The Igbo people deserve to hear a public and unequivocal apology from the Nigerian government,” said Isiguzoro.
Ohanaeze’s call for an apology is rooted in a broader desire for national reconciliation and healing. The group believes that only through the official acknowledgment of the injustices suffered by the Igbo people can the healing process truly begin.
The statement also outlines how the Igbo people have continued to suffer in the post-Biafra era. In addition to political and economic marginalization, Ohanaeze also pointed to the enduring cultural and emotional scars left by the war and its aftermath.
The statement noted, “The systemic exclusion of Igbos from the political leadership of Nigeria remains an open wound, a painful reminder of the trauma and betrayal that our people suffered.”
But despite these grievances, Ohanaeze insists that its demands for reparations and an apology are not meant to stir resentment, but rather to lay the foundation for genuine reconciliation. The group insists that these measures would allow the country to move forward with a shared understanding of its painful past.
As tensions continue to simmer over the contentious issue of Biafra and the Igbo experience, Ohanaeze’s bold demands may force the Nigerian government to confront the painful realities of its past decisions. The question remains whether President Tinubu and his administration will take meaningful action to address these calls or whether the cycle of unresolved grievances will continue to shape the future of Nigeria.
In conclusion, Isiguzoro affirmed, “We are not asking for what is ours out of greed, but out of a fundamental need for justice. The Igbo nation has paid a heavy price, and it is time for Nigeria to show genuine remorse and make amends.”
