Should President Tinubu Apologise and Pay ₦10 Trillion for the 1966 Coup?

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a major Igbo organization, is demanding an apology and ₦10 trillion from President Bola Tinubu. This comes after former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida revealed in his book that the Igbos were not behind the 1966 coup, correcting a long-held false belief.

The group’s statement, shared by Deputy National President Okechukwu Isiguzoro, pointed out that the false accusation had led to severe consequences for the Igbo people, including the tragic events of the Biafra War.

Isiguzoro highlighted the massive loss of life during the conflict, with about three million Igbos, mostly innocent women and children, killed. He said these painful events still deeply affect the Igbo community today.

He stated that these new revelations should make Nigerians address the past wrongs against the Igbos. He called on President Tinubu to publicly apologize for the actions of past governments, especially the government led by General Yakubu Gowon.

He also emphasised the need for substantial compensation, stating that the ₦10 trillion requested represents the deep losses suffered by the Igbo people. He praised General Babangida for his courage in correcting the historical record, which he believed could help end the longstanding unfair treatment of Igbos by government policies.

The statement also described the ongoing injustices faced by the Igbos, including political exclusion, economic neglect, and lack of major infrastructure in Igbo areas. It pointed out the continuous exclusion of Igbos from top political roles and economic opportunities within Nigeria.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has reiterated their demands, originally made during the 1999 Justice Oputa-led Judicial Commission for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations Panel. They stress the need for both reparations and a sincere apology to start fixing the historical wrongs against the Igbo people.