In the Supreme Council of the
Revolution of then Nigerian Armed Forces, I declare martial law over the
Northern Provinces of Nigeria. The Constitution is suspended and the regional
government and elected assemblies are hereby dissolved. All political,
cultural, tribal and trade union activities, together with all demonstrations
and unauthorized gatherings, excluding religious worship, are banned until
further notice.
The aim of Revolutionary
Council is to establish a strong united and prosperous nation, free from
corruption and internal strife. Our method of achieving this is strictly
military but we have no doubt that every Nigerian will give us maximum
cooperation by assisting the regime and not disturbing the peace during the
slight changes that are taking place. I am to assure all foreigners living and
working in this part of Nigeria that their rights will continue to be
respected. All treaty obligations previously entered into with any foreign
nation will be respected and we hope that such nations will respect our
country’s territorial integrity and will avoid taking sides with enemies of the
revolution and enemies of the people.
My dear countrymen, you will
hear, and probably see a lot being done by certain bodies charged by the
Supreme Council with the duties of national integration, supreme justice,
general security and property recovery. As an interim measure all permanent
secretaries, corporation chairman and senior heads of departments are allowed
to make decisions until the new organs are functioning, so long as such
decisions are not contrary to the aims and wishes of the Supreme Council. No
Minister or Parliamentary Secretary possesses administrative or other forms of
control over any Ministry, even if they are not considered too dangerous to be
arrested.
This is not the time for long
speech-making and so let me acquaint you with ten proclamations in the Extraordinary
Orders of the Day which the Supreme Council has promulgated. These will be
modified as the situation improves.
You are hereby warned that
looking, arson, homosexuality, rape, embezzlement, bribery or corruption,
obstruction of the revolution, sabotage, subversion, false alarms and
assistance to foreign invaders, are all offences punishable by death sentence.
Demonstrations and unauthorized assembly, non-cooperation with voluntary troops
are punishable in grave manner up to death. Refusal or neglect to perform
normal duties or any task that may of necessity to ordered by local military
commanders in support of the change will be punishable by a sentence imposed by
the local military commander. Spying, harmful or injurious publications, and
broadcasts of troop movements or actions, will be punished by any suitable
sentence deemed fit by the local military commander. Shouting of slogans,
loitering and rowdy behavior will be rectified by any sentence of
incarceration, or any more severe punishment deemed fit by the local military
commander. Doubtful loyalty will be penalized by imprisonment or any more
severe sentence. Illegal possession or carrying of firearms, smuggling or
trying to escape with documents, valuables, including money or other assets vital
to the running of any establishment will be punished by death sentence.
Wavering or sitting on the fence and failing to declare open loyalty with the
revolution will regarded as an act of hostility punishable by any sentence
deemed suitable by the local military commander. Tearing down an order of the
day or proclamation or other authorized notices will be penalized by death.
This is the end of the
Extraordinary Order of the Day which you will soon begin to see displayed in
public. My dear countrymen, no citizen should have anything to fear, so long as
that citizen is law abiding and if that citizen has religiously obeyed the
native laws of the country and those set down in every heart and conscience
since 1st October, 1960.
Our enemies are the political profiteers,
the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10
percent; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they
can remain in office as ministers or VIPs at least, the tribalists, the
nepotists, those that make the country look big for nothing before
international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the
Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds.
Like good soldiers we are not
promising anything miraculous or spectacular. But what we do promise every law
abiding citizen is freedom from fear and all forms of oppressions, freedom from
general inefficiency and freedom to live and strive in every field of human
endeavor, both nationally and internationally. We promise that you will no more
be ashamed to say that you are Nigerian.
I leave you with a message of
good wishes and ask for your support at all times, so that our land, watered by
the Niger and Benue, between the sandy wastes and gulf of guinea, washed in
salt by the Atlantic, shall not detract Nigeria from gaining sway in any great
aspect of international endeavor. My dear countrymen, this is the end of this
speech. I wish you all good luck and I hope you will cooperate to the fullest
in this job which we have set for ourselves of establishing a prosperous nation
and achieving solidarity.
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