A major affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Njiko Igbo Forum, has demanded a staggering N100 trillion in compensation from the Federal Government over what it describes as decades of injustice against the Igbo people since 1966.
The demand follows a shocking revelation by former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd.), who, in his newly released book, A Journey in Service, debunked the long-held narrative that the 1966 coup was an “Igbo coup.”
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, Rev. Dr. Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, President of Njiko Igbo Forum, called on lawmakers from the South-East to push for a compensation bill in the National Assembly.
According to Obioha, the Igbo have endured decades of rejection, marginalization, and economic sabotage, all fueled by what he described as a false historical narrative. He emphasized that the tragic consequences of the Nigerian Civil War—genocide, economic losses, destruction of businesses, and the seizure of properties—stemmed from misinformation about the coup’s masterminds.
Refuting the claim that the coup was led by the Igbo, Obioha listed its principal actors, which included military officers from diverse ethnic backgrounds: Kaduna Nzeogwu – Delta, Adewale Ademoyega – Yoruba, Capt. G. Adeleke – Yoruba, Lt. Fola Oyewole – Yoruba, Emmanuel Ifeajuna – Igbo, Lt. Tijani Katsina – Hausa, Capt. Gibson Jalo – Niger Delta and Lt. O. Olafemiyan – Yoruba
He further claimed that the coup’s true objective was to free Chief Obafemi Awolowo from prison and install him as Nigeria’s Prime Minister.
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With what he described as “incontrovertible evidence” now in the open, Obioha insisted that the Nigerian government must offer a formal apology and pay adequate compensation to the Igbo for their suffering over the past 55 years.
“No amount of money can bring back the millions of lives lost or undo the decades of suppression suffered by the Igbo since January 15, 1970, when the war supposedly ended,” he stated.
Beyond compensation, the group also called on the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, to publicly address concerns regarding the 2023 presidential election.
“We don’t want another memoir decades from now, where Prof. Mahmoud or President Tinubu finally admits—like they are doing now with MKO Abiola—that Peter Obi actually won the election. He should confess now,” the statement read.
Additionally, the group demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that his agitation was a direct consequence of the civil war’s impact on the Igbo people.
Wrapping up its demands, Njiko Igbo Forum urged the Nigerian government to correct decades of injustice by treating the Igbo as an integral part of the country rather than an isolated minority.
“For 55 years, we have been treated with reckless abandon. It’s time for a turnaround. Nigeria must recognize the Igbo as equal partners in this nation,” Obioha concluded.
With Babangida’s revelations sparking heated debates, the demand for N100 trillion compensation could ignite a new wave of political discourse in Nigeria.
