January 15, 1966, Coup: See Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Alleged Last Words To The Igbos Before He Was Killed

October 1, 1960, Nigeria Independence was a dream come true for all.

It was then a country with four regions, built on the pillars of federalism, were by each region was in care of its self.

But all that changed in 1966, when the military took over power dumped the federalism the country enjoyed and took up the unitary system of government.

It has been 55 years now, but Nigeria is still a shadow of its former self.

Although military rule has been a thing of the past, but country is yet to recover from the fail of the first Republic.

The federal principles which the country dreamed of flourishing with was liquidated, making the country back slide just six years after her independence.

Since then, the retracing of steps back to it formal glory has been a difficult task to achieve.

The coup which saw to the end of the first republic was led by Kaduna Nzeogwu, and others like Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Donatus Okafor, Chris Anuforo, Wale Ademoyega.

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who was the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, was killed.

The Minister of Finance, the Premier of the Northern Region, and also that of the Western Region were also killed.

Top military officers were also not left out.

Nigeria’ s first ceremonial President, Dr, Nnamidi Azikiwe, who was an Igbo, was said to be on a vacation abroad when the coup happened.

The Premier of the Midwestern Denis Osadebey and Michael Okpara, who was the Premier of the Eastern Region, were spared by the coup plotters.

This made the Northern Region sad and unhappy as the coup was believed to be an ethnic plot by the Igbos to take over power.

It was said that as Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was being killed, he last words were: ” Igbo, Igbo, Igbo, Sai kun rasa wajen zama a Nijeriya (Igbo! You will lack any place to belong to in Nigeria).

What do you think about this?