Nigerian military intervention in politics is the worst thing that has ever happened — Former NAF officer

Group Captain Murtala Salami (retd) has expressed regret over the military’s involvement in Nigerian politics.

In his autobiography, “A Fragile Boy and An Air Force Officer,” Salami, who was Aids-de-Camp to the Military Governor of North Eastern State, Brigadier Musa Usman, stated that the spirit-de-corps that reigned supreme prior to January 15, 1966, was shattered by the first coup in January 1966 and subsequent coups and counter-coups.

Salami detailed what happened before Gen Yakubu Gowon was deposed in his book, which was launched at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.

“The discussion about changing governors and abandoning the 1976 handover date took place at a meeting of senior Armed Forces officers comprised of colonels and above from the Nigerian Army and lieutenant colonels equivalent from the Navy and Airforce,” he said.

“I was at the meeting with my boss at Dodan Barracks.” They took an unusual break around 2 p.m. and returned shortly after 4 p.m. The governor forwarded to me the minutes of the meeting taken by Lt. Col Tunde Idiagbon, which I read and summarized for him.

“It occurred to me that the unusual break was called to allow the Head of State, Gen. Gowon, to cool off as he insisted that as officers and gentlemen, the freely given 1976 date was sacred.” His stance was against the majority of the officers, the majority of whom conspired to depose him in 1975 on the grounds that there would be no new politicians to take over if the handover was completed as planned.”