The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has aligned with the nation in commemorating the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the military coup of January 15, 1966. In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF expressed condemnation for attempts to distort historical facts, emphasizing that the North is still grappling with the aftermath of the war,Daily Trust report.
Reflecting on the coup, Professor Muhammad-Baba stated, “January 15th, 2024, marks the 58th anniversary of a very dark day in the political history of Nigeria.” He described it as more than a Remembrance Day for fallen armed forces members, highlighting that the first military coup in Nigeria occurred on this date in 1966, resulting in the cold-blooded assassination of 21 individuals.
He outlined the prominent political and military figures who lost their lives in the coup, underscoring the profound impact on Northern Nigeria, which lost its most illustrious sons. The ACF asserted that the 1966 coup marked the demise of Nigeria’s nascent democracy, and any attempts to distort the historical narrative would not be tolerated.
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The statement emphasized the importance of January 15, 1966, as a significant and poignant day in national history, calling on the people of the North and the entire nation to annually observe January 15th as a Day of National Mourning for Democracy. This day would serve as an opportunity for reflection and prayers to prevent a recurrence of similar events in the future. The ACF concluded by reaffirming its commitment to preserving the historical truth and unity of Arewa, rejecting any efforts to revise or distort the facts surrounding the 1966 coup.
