Our Tragedies Caused By Leadership Failure — Obi Defends Comment on 1966 Coups

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said Nigeria must transform the painful experiences of its past, including the 1966 military coups and civil war, into opportunities for national development.

Obi made the clarification on Thursday while responding to reactions to comments he made during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he was questioned about the 1966 coups.

In a statement explaining his position, Obi said he had received calls and text messages from Nigerians who were upset that the Arise News anchor asked him to comment on the coups, which he described as national tragedies.

He, however, said he was prepared to answer questions on all issues concerning Nigeria as a presidential candidate.

“I have a commitment to serve the people, not to hide from them,” he said.

Obi said his engagements with Nigerians across the country had given him the opportunity to reflect on the various tragedies that had shaped the nation, including the 1966 coups, the civil war and recurring episodes of mass violence.

According to him, many of the tragedies could have been avoided if laws had been entrenched and fairly implemented, arguing that leadership failure was at the root of the country’s problems.

“My view is that we could have avoided these tragedies if we had entrenched and implemented laws justly. These tragedies are the result of leadership failure. It is our responsibility to understand these failures and fix them,” he said.

Obi maintained that a government must guarantee equal rights and freedoms for all citizens and enforce constitutional rights without discrimination.

He urged Nigerians to learn from history rather than remain trapped by it, saying past mistakes could serve as catalysts for national transformation.

“Mistakes in history are not fatal. They can become opportunities for transformation,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor cited Japan, South Korea and China as examples of countries that turned traumatic historical experiences into foundations for economic and national development.

He also referenced Rwanda, saying Nigeria could similarly draw lessons from the country’s recent history to strengthen national unity and prosperity.

Obi had earlier told Arise Television that Nigerians should move beyond historical grievances and focus on building a united country.

“You cannot hold what happened when I was barely three or four years against me. That’s in the past now,” he said, referring to the 1966 coup.

The coup, led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and other young military officers, resulted in the deaths of several political and military leaders, particularly in Northern Nigeria, and became a major turning point in Nigeria’s political history.

Obi said his administration, if elected, would prioritise unity and reject the use of historical grievances to deepen divisions among Nigerians.

“But we must build the future based on love, not on hatred. So it is time to show love. It is time to show unity,” uphe said.

His comments also drew a response from All Progressives Congress chieftain and former presidential spokesperson, Bashir Ahmad, who said Obi should not be blamed for the 1966 coup.

Reacting to a clip of the interview on his official X handle, Ahmad argued that Obi had no involvement in the events and should not be held responsible because of his identity or background.

“Nobody should be judged or held responsible for the wrongdoings of others,” Ahmad said.

He added, “We must learn to judge people by their own actions, not by the actions of others.”

Obi, meanwhile, said his responsibility as president would be to convert Nigeria’s painful history into a foundation for a more united, stable and prosperous country

“Our past is important, but our past is not our destiny. Our future is what we do with our past. Our past is our resource for national transformation. We are ready to transform Nigeria,” he said.