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By Bashorun J. K Randle:
27th August 1985 qualifies as a red-letter day. On that memorable day, Brigadier Joshua Dogonyaro made the following announcement on Nigerian radio and television (It was preceded by martial music);
Before the day was over, what followed was another announcement (again preceded by martial music) but this time by Brigadier Sani Abacha:
How time flies!!
That was thirty-eight years ago. What has been most remarkable is that throughout all discussions about coup d’etats which featured at this year’s African Week at Cambridge University; Oxford University and London School of Economics, the recurring decimal was the place of coup d’etats – starting with the first one in Africa (Togo: on 196) and the latest one in Niger on 2023.
My firm (J.K. Randle International) Think Tank has been inundated with requests from scholars who have been meticulously studying the subject for several decades in all its ramifications. They have been scrutinizing every single coup including attempted coup d’etats as well as these that were initially successful but crumbled afterwards into woeful abyss. As for coups and counter coups. They are considered research materials within the context of political science; philosophy; economics; and law and order.
What was truly amazing was the vastness of the research material regarding coup d’etats as violent game – changers. Even beyond that, the academic community patiently devoted effort and diligence to changing the prison and perspective to the indomitable spirit and superlative perseverance of the public who are the first to hail successful coups but once disillusionment sets in they proceed to awaiting the next one or revert to nostalgia in favour of the previous oppressor they thought they had gotten rid of for good. Incredible survival strategy takes over.
That is when the exactitude of history collides with the benefit of hindsight or blurred recollection. A case in point was the front page report of ‘’Saturday Vanguard’’ of August 5, 2023. Headline; ‘’UNKNOWN GUNMAN SHOT IRONSI’’ -Emeka Obasi
Fifty seven years after his assassination, the departure of General Johnson Aguiyi – Ironsi continues to be engulfed in mystery. Even those closest to him came out with different versions of what transpired in Ibadan, on July 29, 1966.
In all accounts, it is impossible to name who really shot the first African to command United Nations forces and the first Nigerian general. What is certain is that the trigger was pulled by a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) after commissioned officers lost control of the rabid situation.
Recently, Col. Sani Bello, then a Second Lieutenant and Ironsi’s Army Aide de Camp (ADC) debunked claims that he made a deal with the Air Force ADC, Lt. Andrew Nwankwo. The supposed agreement benefitted the duo who escaped as their boss faced imminent death.
It is curious that it took 57 years for Bello to come out with this version. Nwankwo is late now, it is difficult to get his reaction. However, I find it odd that a brave officer would agree to run away instead of defending his principal even if death was the price.
Lt. Akintunde Akinsehinwa died defending Gen. Murtala Mohammed in 1976. Maj. Usman Bello was killed as he tried to fight for Gen. Ibrahim Babangid, in 1990. From Bello’s account, he was arrested and detained when he went to ascertain what had become of those who were sent to find out what went wrong at Government House, Ibadan.
While Nwankwo announced to Biafrans that Bello saved him, the latter credits Garba Dada Paiko as their saviour who ordered them into a Landrover as the killer gang got really bloody thirsty. This account makes some sense since Bello and the Ironsi family have continued to relate.
I tend to agree with Bello that he was going to be gunned down, like Ironsi and Col. Adekunle Faluyi, until Dada Paiko intervened. What I do not know is what happened to Adamu Umoru, Fajuyi’s ADC who was with the other Subalterns at Government House Ibadan during the coup.
Paiko and Bello bailed from Bida Province, that could have worked. If Paiko desired, he would have left Nwankwo with the assassins instead of taking him away with Bello. The moment he was about to drive off, Sgt. Tijanni Maiduguri fired the shot that killed the military governor of Western Region.
It is almost certain that no commissioned officer was there when Ironsi died.
SB E-news
SB events magazine.
www.sbenews.com.ng
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