The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to formally apologise for his 1966 assassination, while also seeking compensation and genuine reconciliation.
The demand was made by the head of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
“I think the family needs apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi described his uncle as a patriotic and visionary leader who was unjustly 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.
Reflecting on Aguiyi-Ironsi’s brief time in office, he lamented that the former Head of State’s administration lasted only six months before it was violently cut short.
“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 maintained that his uncle’s innocence regarding the January 1966 coup had long been established.
“Everybody knows that,” he said.
He argued that Aguiyi-Ironsi lost his life solely because he was the nation’s most senior military officer and was asked to assume leadership following the coup.
“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 said.
He also expressed optimism that those in authority would heed 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, following the January 15 coup that claimed the lives of several top political leaders.
Although he survived the uprising and restored order, his administration later faced criticism over the introduction of Decree 34, which centralised the country’s governance, and his decision not to prosecute those behind the coup.
Growing resentment among northern military officers culminated in the July 29, 1966 counter-coup, during which Aguiyi-Ironsi and his host, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, were killed.
