The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has renewed its demand for an official apology and compensation from the Federal Government, insisting that the former military leader was wrongly blamed for the January 1966 coup that eventually led to his assassination.
Speaking during an interview on television, Head of the family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, said the time had come for the Nigerian government to acknowledge what he described as a grave injustice against the late Head of State and his family. He called for sincere reconciliation, arguing that an official apology would help address decades of perceived historical misrepresentation.
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi had no involvement in the January 1966 military coup but became Head of State solely because he was the most senior officer in the Nigerian Army at the time. He maintained that the Late military ruler paid with his life for accepting the responsibility of leading the country during a period of political uncertainty.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi described the former Head of State as a detribalised Nigerian and a leader committed to national unity, saying his six-month administration was cut short by the July 29, 1966 counter-coup. He insisted that historical records had long established that Aguiyi-Ironsi did not participate in the January coup and should not have been held responsible for its consequences.
The family Head also expressed hope that those in government would heed the appeal and take steps towards addressing what he called a long-standing injustice.
Aguiyi-Ironsi assumed office as Nigeria’s Head of State on January 16, 1966, following the overthrow of the civilian government in the country’s first military coup. His administration came to an end on July 29, 1966, when he was assassinated in Ibadan alongside the then Military Governor of the Western Region, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, during a mutiny staged by northern military officers.
The renewed appeal by his family comes as Nigeria continues to reflect on key events in its political history, with increasing calls from various quarters for national reconciliation and a more balanced assessment of the country’s past.
