After 35 years, Nyiam reminisces on Orkar coup

•Says Nigeria still suffering from master-servant relationship

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Nyiam, one of the military officers accused over the 1990 military coup against the regime of former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, on Tuesday reminisced on the incident that shook the foundation of the country.

In a short message forwarded to the Nigerian Tribune in Ibadan, Nyiam lamented that the current sorry state of the country 35 years after the botched plot of April 22, 1990 to unseat Babangida regime from Doddan Barracks, Obalende in Lagos, the then seat of government.

In his message, Lt. Col. Nyiam claimed that the country remains characterised by a master-servant relationship 35 years after the attempted military putsch against the Babangida regime.

He said memory of the April incident lingers because of the unjust system the Nigerian State represents blaming the elite for the situation.

“22 April 1990, (that is exactly 35 years ago today) should, in terms of the historical records of Nigeria, never be forgotten, particularly, for pioneering the exposure of the planting of the seeds of the bad omen tree which the existing Nigerian-State that has usurped the position of the Oga (master), rather than the servant of the people of Nigeria, represents.

“The seedlings have germinated and as expected, grown into a Nation-State that is an incubator of ‘neo-colonialism, oligarchy and resultant, so called “public servants” inclination to illicit enrichment.

“May the souls of the military officers, soldiers and civilians who died for the good cause of defending, the Nigerian-citizens against oppression, rest in peace. Amen/Amin.”

Though he was the leader of the coup d’état, Nyiam was the most senior officer linked to the plot.

The leader of the coup, Major Gideon Gwaza Orkar was later arrested along with about 300 other military personnel and more than 30 civilians.

They were arraigned before a Military Tribunal presided over by Major General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, with the late Brigadier General Tunde Olurin as the chief prosectutor, while Lt. Col. Akin Kejawa led the defence.

In July 1990, Major GG Orkar and 41 others were convicted for treason and executed by firing squad after confirmation of sentences by the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC).

Nine other defendants were jailed while 31 soldiers were acquitted, but the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) ordered the retrial of 31 of the surviving accused by a new tribunal headed by Major General Yohanna Yerima Kure with Lt Col Kemi Peters as the chief prosecutor while Lt Col. JOJ Okolagwu led the defence.

The other accused officers included Major Saliba Mukoro and Major Cyril Obahor, while a millionaire businessman, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru was also accused of complicity.

Those suspected to be behind the coup had accused the Babangida regime of unabated corruption, mismanagement of national economy.

Kunle Oderemi