By BONIFACE AKARAH

A founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, has criticised comments attributed to NADECO Secretary-General, Chief Ayo Opadokun, describing the January 15, 1966 military takeover as an “Igbo coup,” saying the remark was divisive and inappropriate.

Ugwu-Oju, in a rejoinder sent to News Express, said the comment was made by Opadokun during the official launch of his book, The Gun Hegemony, held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. He said the statement shifted focus from intellectual discourse on military rule to ethnic generalisation.

According to Ugwu-Oju, while he attended the event in solidarity with a fellow NADECO member, he was disappointed that the book launch platform was used to frame the 1966 coup in ethnic terms rather than attributing responsibility to the individual soldiers involved.

He argued that describing the coup as an “Igbo coup” wrongly suggested collective ethnic responsibility, noting that coups in Nigeria’s history have always been identified by their leaders, not by the ethnic origins of participants. He cited the failed 1990 coup led by Major Gideon Orkar, which was never labelled along ethnic lines, despite the regional background of those involved.

Ugwu-Oju stressed that such remarks were particularly troubling given Opadokun’s association with NADECO, a group he described as a principled pan-Nigerian movement committed to unity, justice, and democracy. He recalled NADECO’s role during the Abacha era and noted that respected leaders of the organisation, including the late Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu (rtd), stood firmly against ethnic division.

He warned that comments capable of inflaming ethnic sentiments were coming at a time of heightened national tension caused by insecurity, adding that divisive narratives could distract from pressing governance and security challenges facing the country.

Ugwu-Oju, who said he was an active NADECO member during the military era despite largely operating behind the scenes, expressed hope that future engagements associated with the organisation would reflect its pan-Nigerian ideals. He added that he looked forward to the forthcoming launch of The NADECO Story by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, expressing optimism that it would reinforce unity rather than deepen divisions.

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to a peaceful, just, and united Nigeria, urging leaders and public intellectuals to exercise restraint in public discourse.

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