Senator Orji Kalu, a former Governor of Abia State, recently shared insights on the January 15, 1966, military coup, particularly focusing on Major Kaduna Nzeogwu and his background. In a video posted by Channels TV, Kalu discussed lesser-known aspects of the coup and provided his perspective on some of its key figures.
One of the notable points Kalu highlighted was Nzeogwu’s background. Despite being of Igbo descent, Nzeogwu did not speak the Igbo language because he was born and raised in Kaduna. Kalu found this detail significant, as it underscored how Nzeogwu’s identity was shaped more by his environment than by his ethnic origins. He also pointed out that Nzeogwu’s name, which included “Kaduna,” further reflected his deep connection to the northern region.
Kalu went on to claim that many high-ranking military officers at the time were aware of the coup before it happened. He specifically mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo, asserting that Obasanjo had knowledge of the planned coup but managed to distance himself from it.
According to Kalu, Obasanjo’s return from India just before the coup was a crucial detail, suggesting it was unlikely that he had no prior knowledge of the plot. He questioned how someone of Obasanjo’s rank and experience, having just returned from his studies, could have been unaware of such a significant military development.
Kalu further alleged that several senior military figures knew about the coup and its planning. His remarks implied that while the coup came as a shock to the general public, it may not have been entirely secret within military circles. This raises broader questions about whether certain figures within the military were complicit in or had foreknowledge of the coup’s execution.
In his words, Kalu stated, “Let me be honest with you, former President Obasanjo was aware of the coup, but he exonerated himself. If you ask military leaders, most of those top military people knew about the coup. Obasanjo came from India—how would he not have known about the coup when he had just returned from school? So, most of them knew.”
