Northern leaders on Thursday said they will not accept any attempts to rewrite the history of the country and discredit their leaders killed in the 1966 coup.
Northern governors and traditional rulers said attempt at ascribing the problems that led to the 1966 coup to Sir Ahmadu Bello and other northern leaders killed in the coup will not be accepted, saying “as long as we are alive, we will defend their honor.”
Speaking during the 50th anniversary of the death of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the first and only Premier of the Northern region, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II said although Nigerians have moved on, history should not be rewritten.
Sanusi, who said he does not want to be misunderstood, however said while the north was interested in peace, unity and development of the nation, it will insist on being respected by all Nigerians.
He said: Friday marks exactly 50 years of the incident in the history of this country in which a number of leaders were killed. Sir Ahmadu Bello was one, Sir Tafawa Balewa was another, Chief Akintola, Chief Okotie Eboh and a number of generals that hailed from this part of the country as well as the Western part of this country.
“These have happened, though sad, we have forgotten about them and moved on as a nation. But 50 years later, before our very eyes, this history is being rewritten and those who killed are claiming to be the victims.
“It is important that we keep history truthful and even if we forgive and forget, we must never allow history to be rewritten because what is happening in Nigeria today is a new narrative.
“Sardauna was not a victim, Tafawa Balewa was not a victim and neither were they the cause of the problem. We cannot accept this. We do not want people to reopen old wounds because everyone has been hurt, everyone has been offended, everyone has lost people, everyone has been marginalized, everyone has tasted power, everyone has produced good and corrupt leaders.
“No one has monopoly of power or corruption or oppression. So, why don’t we, as one country learn from our history because history cannot be forgotten.”
Speaking on behalf of the Northern Governors, Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said the governors were in alliance with the sentiments expressed by the Emir of Kano, saying they will not accept any attempt to discredit those whose legacies they enjoy.
He said “The governors agree fully with the sentiment and statement expressed by the Emir of Kano. As northern governors, we want peace in Nigeria, we want unity in our diversity and we want development in Nigeria.”
Source: The Nation
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