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Ohanaeze Ndigbo has praised IBB for clarifying that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo conspiracy. The group demands a public apology from the Nigerian government and ₦10 trillion in reparations for historical injustices, urging President Tinubu to address systemic marginalization and promote reconciliation.

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has sparked renewed discussions on Nigeria’s history with his assertion that the 1966 coup was not an “Igbo coup.” His statement has been welcomed by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which views it as a crucial step toward correcting historical narratives that have fueled ethnic tensions for decades.

Speaking at the launch of his book A Journey in Service, Babangida dismissed long-held claims that the January 1966 coup was orchestrated by Igbo military officers against northern leaders. He emphasized that the coup’s consequences have unfairly led to the marginalization and persecution of the Igbo people, a sentiment echoed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

In a statement, Ohanaeze's Deputy President-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, described Babangida’s remarks as “long overdue but necessary.” He noted that the misrepresentation of the coup led to the violent counter-coup in July 1966, widespread attacks on Igbo communities, and ultimately, the Nigerian Civil War, which claimed millions of lives.

Ohanaeze is now demanding a formal apology from the Nigerian government, particularly from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for past injustices suffered by the Igbo people. The group is also calling for reparations totaling ₦10 trillion as compensation for the lives lost and the economic exclusion endured since the war.

Despite these demands, Ohanaeze extended an olive branch to IBB, acknowledging his statement as a step toward reconciliation. The group urged the federal government to take concrete actions to address long-standing grievances and foster national unity.