58 years after counter-coup, Aguiyi-Ironsi family seeks apology, compensation from FG
The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology and provide compensation over his killing during the July 29, 1966 counter-coup.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Thursday, the head of the family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, also appealed for genuine reconciliation nearly six decades after the assassination.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
He described the late Head of State as a visionary and detribalised leader who was unfairly blamed for a coup in which he played no part.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalized Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
According to him, Aguiyi-Ironsi’s time in office was cut short by violence despite having committed no offence.
“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.”
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi said the former Head of State was made leader only because he was the most senior military officer at the time.
“Everybody knows that,” he said.
“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 added that he hoped those in authority would respond to the family’s appeal.
“Well, I hope there are people who are in positions to make this happen that are listening to you tonight,” he said.
Aguiyi-Ironsi became Nigeria’s Head of State on January 16, 1966, after the January 15 coup that killed several leading politicians and military officers. He survived the coup and moved to suppress the mutiny, but his administration later faced mounting opposition, particularly from northern officers.
Historians have linked the resentment to his promulgation of Decree 34, which replaced the federal structure with a unitary system, and to the perception that the coup plotters were not adequately prosecuted.
On July 29, 1966, Aguiyi-Ironsi was killed in Ibadan alongside his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, during a mutiny by northern soldiers that became known as the July counter-coup.
