The family of Nigeria's first military Head of State, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, has called on the Federal Government to formally apologise and compensate them over his assassination during the July 29, 1966 counter-coup.
The appeal was made by the head of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi, during an interview on Arise Television, where he argued that the late military leader was unjustly blamed for the January 1966 coup despite having no involvement in its planning or execution.
According to him, the family deserves a sincere apology and reconciliation from the Nigerian government for what he described as a historical injustice.
"We need an apology. The family deserves to be compensated. More importantly, we need genuine reconciliation," he said.
Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi described the late Head of State as a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian who was committed to national unity during his brief administration.
He maintained that Aguiyi-Ironsi only assumed leadership because he was the most senior military officer at the time and not because he participated in the coup that overthrew the First Republic.
"He was not part of the January 1966 coup. Everybody knows that. He was simply asked to take charge because he was the most senior officer, and that decision ultimately cost him his life," he said.
He noted that the former Head of State governed Nigeria for only six months before he was overthrown and killed during the July 1966 counter-coup.
Expressing hope that the family's appeal would receive attention, Imo Aguiyi-Ironsi urged those in positions of authority to address what he described as a long-standing grievance.
"I hope those who have the authority to make this happen are listening," he added.
Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi became Nigeria's Head of State on January 16, 1966, following the military coup that ended the First Republic.
His administration lasted until July 29, 1966, when he was killed in Ibadan alongside the then Military Governor of the Western Region, Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, during a mutiny by northern military officers that became known as the July 1966 counter-coup.
The family's renewed call comes amid ongoing national conversations on historical reconciliation and efforts to address some of the unresolved issues surrounding Nigeria's post-independence political history.
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