The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology and provide compensation over his assassination during the July 1966 counter-coup.
The demand was made by the head of the family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, during an interview with Arise News on Thursday.
According to him, the family also seeks genuine reconciliation over an incident that altered the course of the country’s history.
“I think the family needs an apology. The family needs to be compensated. We need a sincere apology. We need sincere reconciliation,” he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi described his uncle as a patriotic leader who was unfairly blamed for events in which he played no direct role.
“He was a man of vision. He was a detribalised Nigerian. He was a good leader,” he said.
He noted that Aguiyi-Ironsi occupied the nation’s highest office for only six months before he was overthrown and killed.
“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,” he added.
According to him, the former military leader became a victim of circumstance after being called upon to assume leadership as the country’s most senior military officer 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 positions of authority would consider 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, in the aftermath of the January 15 coup, which claimed the lives of several senior political leaders and military officers.
Although he survived the uprising and helped restore order, his administration faced criticism over its handling of the coup plotters and the promulgation of Decree No. 34, which replaced the country’s federal structure with a unitary system of government.
The decision generated widespread resentment, particularly among northern military officers, culminating in the July 29, 1966 counter-coup.
Aguiyi-Ironsi was subsequently killed alongside Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, then military governor of the Western Region, in an event that remains one of the most defining moments in Nigeria’s political history.