Violence has never been an instrument used by us, as
founding fathers of the Nigerian Republic, to solve political problems.
In the
British tradition, we talked the Colonial Office into accepting our challenges
for the demerits and merits of our case for self-government. After six
constitutional conferences in 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960, Great
Britain conceded to us the right to assert our political independence as from
October 1, 1960.
None of the Nigerian political parties ever adopted violent
means to gain our political freedom and we are happy to claim that not a drop
of British or Nigerian blood was shed in the course of our national struggle
for our place in the sun. this historical fact enabled me to state publicly in
Nigeria that Her Majesty’s Government has presented self-government to us on a
platter of gold. Of course, my contemporaries scorned at me, but the facts of
history are irrefutable.
I consider it most unfortunate that our ‘Young Turks’
decided to introduce the element of violent revolution into Nigerian politics.
No matter how they and our general public might have been provoked by obstinate
and perhaps grasping politicians, it is
an unwise policy.
I have contacted General Aguiyi-Ironsi, General
Officer Commanding the Nigeria armed forces, who I understand, has now assumed
the reins of the Federal Government. I offered my services for any peace
overtures to stop further bloodshed, to placate the mutinous officers, and to
restore law and order. As soon as I hear from them, I shall make arrangements
to return home. As far as I am concerned, I regard the killings of our
political and military leaders as national calamity.
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