IBB’s Revelation Rekindles Igbo Demand for Apology, N10 Trillion Compensation, and Federal Acknowledgment of Civil War Injustices, As Calls for National Reconciliation Intensify
A fresh wave of demands for apology and compensation has emerged from Igbo leaders and groups following the recent revelation by former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), absolving the Igbo ethnic group of blame in the 1966 coup. The call, spearheaded by the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urges the Federal Government to acknowledge past injustices and take decisive steps toward reconciliation.
In his book, A Journey in Service, IBB clarified that the coup was not ethnically motivated, shedding light on the role of Major John Obienu, an Igbo officer who played a critical part in suppressing the mutiny. He further revealed that numerous senior Igbo officers were killed during the uprising, contradicting the long-held narrative that the coup was an Igbo-led conspiracy. The revelation has reignited discussions about historical grievances, particularly the suffering endured by the Igbo during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970).
Ohanaeze Leads the Charge
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement issued by its Deputy National President, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has demanded an official apology from President Bola Tinubu and N10 trillion in compensation. The group emphasized that the coup’s repercussions were catastrophic for the Igbo people, ultimately leading to the horrors of the Biafran War, where approximately three million Igbo lives were lost, including many women and children.
“The scale of destruction and loss suffered by the Igbo necessitates a formal apology and reparations,” Isiguzoro stated. “This is essential for true national reconciliation and healing.”
Igbo Leaders Support the Demand
Prominent Igbo figures have rallied behind Ohanaeze, reinforcing the demand for compensation. Former President of Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, stressed that compensation should take the form of infrastructure repair rather than cash payments.
“Many of the public infrastructures in the Southeast, such as schools, hospitals, and roads, still bear the scars of the war,” Uwazurike noted. “The Federal Government should fund their reconstruction, as the United Nations had previously allocated resources for this purpose.”
Similarly, Chief Chekwas Okorie, founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), described the demand as “worthwhile” and emphasized the need for coordinated action to ensure the government responds.
“It is not just about making demands,” Okorie said. “Leaders from the Southeast, including governors and National Assembly members, must come together to formally present this request to the President.”
Calls for Truth and Reconciliation
Elder statesman Dr. Chike Obidigbo asserted that IBB’s revelation underscored Nigeria’s historical injustices, including political manipulation and corruption that have hindered national unity. He called for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address these lingering grievances.
“If true reconciliation is to be achieved, Nigeria must formally acknowledge the genocidal war against the Igbo and the continued marginalization that fuels secessionist sentiments,” Obidigbo said.
Other Igbo leaders, such as Ugochimereze Chinedu Asuzu, Convener of IkoroNdigbo Assembly, highlighted the broader context of the Igbo struggle, arguing that the demand for reparations extends beyond IBB’s revelation.
“Seeking reparations should be grounded in a thorough understanding of the past and its ongoing impact on the Igbo people,” Asuzu remarked. “While IBB’s statements add credibility, they are not the sole basis for our demand.”
Similarly, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, President General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), emphasized the urgency of correcting false historical narratives.
“For decades, the misconception that the 1966 coup was an Igbo plot has justified the exclusion and victimization of our people,” Ibem stated. “General Babangida’s admission strengthens our call for justice and restitution.”
Path to National Healing
With mounting support from various Igbo organizations and leaders, the demand for an official apology and compensation has gained significant momentum. Advocates insist that addressing historical injustices is vital for fostering national unity and ensuring that the wounds of the past do not continue to divide Nigeria.
As calls for reparations grow louder, all eyes are now on the Federal Government to see whether it will take concrete steps toward acknowledging and rectifying these historical grievances. The coming weeks could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s path to reconciliation, with the Igbo demand serving as a crucial test of the nation’s commitment to justice and unity.
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