The South East Youths Stakeholders Forum (SEYSF) has called on the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government of Nigeria to issue a formal national apology to the Igbo people over the wrongful tagging of the January 15, 1966, coup as an ‘Igbo Coup.’ The Forum insists that this false narrative has led to decades of hatred, persecution, killings, and marginalization of Ndi Igbo in Nigeria.
For over half a century, the Igbo people have endured untold hardship due to the deliberate and misleading branding of the 1966 coup as an ethnic conspiracy. This distortion of history triggered a wave of retaliatory massacres against Ndi Igbo, leading to the deaths of thousands and culminating in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). Even after the war, the scars of political, economic, and social exclusion have continued to haunt the Igbo people.
However, new historical evidence that was emerged through the “JOURNEY TO SERVICE BY IBB” has vindicated Ndi Igbo, proving that the coup was not an ethnic agenda but a military intervention with participants from different regions. Despite this, the false narrative remains deeply ingrained in Nigeria’s history, fueling continued discrimination against the Igbo people in national politics, governance, and security appointments.
Our Demands:
In the spirit of justice, reconciliation, and national unity, the South East Youths Stakeholders Forum demands the following:
1. A Formal National Apology: The Nigerian Army and the Federal Government must issue an official apology for falsely accusing the Igbo of plotting the 1966 coup for tribal domination.
2. Justice for the Victims: Acknowledgment of the innocent Ndi Igbo killed in the pogroms of 1966 and beyond, as well as proper recognition of their sacrifices.
3. End to Marginalization: The continued exclusion of the Igbo in national leadership, security agencies, and economic opportunities must be addressed to promote national cohesion.
*Time for Healing and Reconciliation*
The stereotyping of Ndi Igbo as ‘coup plotters’ has been used as a tool of division, undermining the unity of Nigeria. To move forward as a nation, the truth must be recognized, and corrective measures must be taken. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Army, and all relevant authorities to take urgent steps toward healing this historical injustice.
The South East Youths Stakeholders Forum remains committed to the pursuit of truth, justice, and the full integration of Ndi Igbo into the Nigerian project. Only through acknowledgment and restitution can Nigeria achieve genuine unity and progress.
Signed:
Mazi (Dr.) Ezenwa A A Onyirimba
Chairman South East Youths Stakeholders Forum.
South East Youths Stakeholders Forum
Be the first to comment