CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    ABSTRACT

In his biography about Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu, Olusegun Obasanjo stated that ‘biographies of men who have shaped the course of human history have been written all over the world………….Attempts to re-examine the lives of those who have

made contributions to this country may not only provide a better insight, but offer possible solutions to our many difficulties……………..”It is in this context that this study of Major

Emmanuel Ifeajuna’s role during the particularly sensitive period of Nigeria’s political evolution has been undertaken.

This study is by no means a biography. Rather, it is a scholarly effort to illuminate the misunderstood and maligned role of a man who shaped a cloudy period of Nigeria’s history. The focus is a re-examination and analysis of who Emmanuel Ifeajuna was, and what he did in relation to events in Nigeria between January, 1966 to August, 1967. A perusal of this study will hopefully contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge about this seminal period in Nigeria’s history. More importantly, the search for national cohesion and stability is an on-going project which requires effective dependence on historical guidance. And the understanding of the roles of the principal actors in the earth-shaking dramas of Nigeria’s political history during the period under study, will in no small measure contribute to the attainment of this objective.

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1.2       STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Much has been written and said about the January 15th , 1966 coup and its aftermath. But it is that these accounts are not devoid of exaggerations and misrepresentation. In some cases, these accounts are inaccurate. Given the emotional and sensitive nature of such a development, such stance is understandable. Be that as it may, there is a call occasioned by social pressure to put the course of events in its right perception and fill the lacuna in the knowledge of these events which still remain forty years after these events. While this study makes no claims to being exhaustive, it seeks to provide fuller and more accurate insight into the coup and its aftermath by looking at the deeds of one of its major architects, Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna.

Also, prejudice, misconceptions and outright ignorance characterize knowledge among Nigerians and even foreigners about developments in Nigerias and even foreigners about developments in Nigeria politics between the first military coup and the civil war in the country. Indeed, the roles of leading characters in this period of the country’s history have been suppressed, misinterpreted and even in some cases, misrepresented for selfish political, ethics and social goals. If the purpose of history is to till the truth, then the frontiers of knowledge on these characters have to be widened, and erstwhile misconceptions re-examined. Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna is one of such character whose role in the period of Nigeria history under study needs to be presented more realistically and dispassionately. It therefore becomes expedient to expand the frontiers of knowledge on

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what Major Ifeajuna did, how he did it and why he did it in the course of Nigeria’s political evolution between January 15, 1966 and August 1967. With that, the role he played during that event in Nigeria’s history will be better assessed and understood.

1.3    PURPOSE/NEED FOR THE STUDY

This study is not a biography of Emmanuel Ifeajuna. It is a scholarly examination of the roles of this controversial man in the historic events during the sensitive period of Nigeria’s history under study.

Using a plethora of historical sources and methodology the study aims at providing a balanced understanding and predation of development between Nigeria’s first military coup and the civil war. This is only possible if the roles of leading participants and actors are brought to the fore. Emmanuel Ifeajuna’s place cannot be ignored if this objective is to be fulfilled.

This study also seeks to contribute to the age old national discourse for stability and political cohesion which Nigeria has been seeking since independence. This has become necessary by looking at the roles of leading characters who have radically altered the country’s socio-political landscape. Hopefully, a historical study of their actions will contribute to this search for peace and stability in the country.

Finally, this study aims at providing a historical account of what really happened during the brief occupation of the former Mid-Western Region by the Biafran forces during August 1967, and the implications for inter group relations and stability in Nigeria.

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