In his book, Babangida explained that the main aim of the coup plotters was to release Chief Obafemi Awolowo from prison and make him Prime Minister. He highlighted that various ethnic groups were involved in the coup, including non-Igbo officers such as Major Adewale Ademoyega, Captain Ganiyu Adeleke, and Lieutenants Fola Oyewole and Olafimihan, which contradicts the narrative of it being an Igbo-led uprising.


Moreover, some senior Igbo officers, like Lt-Col. Arthur Chinyelu Unegbe, became victims of the coup, which further diminishes the claim that it served Igbo interests. Babangida also noted that the coup was ultimately suppressed by Major John Obienu, an Igbo officer, reinforcing the idea that it was not driven by ethnic motives but rather aimed at achieving specific political goals.


In response to these revelations, Ohanaeze emphasized the severe and negative impact the coup narrative had on the Igbo community, leading to the tragic events of the Biafra War. Deputy National President Okechukwu Isiguzoro stated that the demand for an apology and compensation is justified due to the tremendous loss of life, with around three million Igbo, including many innocent women and children, killed during the conflict.


The group expressed gratitude to Babangida for his bravery in clarifying that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo coup. They argued that this acknowledgment is crucial for their pursuit of justice and reconciliation, marking a potential shift away from the historical injustices faced by the Igbo people.


Ohanaeze lamented the misrepresentation of the January 1966 coup, which had catastrophic consequences for the Igbo, including the subsequent counter-coup that resulted in the death of an Igbo Head of State. They pointed out ongoing systemic injustices faced by the Igbo, such as marginalization in political representation and neglect in economic development.


The group reiterated its demands for reparations, citing the indiscriminate bombardments during the Nigeria-Biafra War carried out by the Federal Government, as well as the lasting impact of these historical injustices. Ohanaeze called on the current government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to use this moment to offer a public apology on behalf of previous administrations.