Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, urged Nigerians to move beyond historical grievances surrounding the 1966 military coup during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Obi was responding to questions about the January 1966 coup, which was led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and other young military officers and resulted in the deaths of prominent political and military figures, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
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The discussion turned to the continuing political and ethnic sensitivities surrounding the events of 1966 and whether historical grievances should influence contemporary political judgments.
Obi argued that events that occurred when he was a young child should not be used to hold him personally responsible for the actions of people from that period.
“You cannot hold what happened when I was barely three, four years against me. That’s in the past now,” Obi said.
The NDC candidate then called for a more forward-looking approach to national politics, saying Nigeria’s future should not remain defined by unresolved grievances from decades past.
“But we must build the future based on love, not on hatred. So it is time to show love. It is time to show unity,” he said.
Obi said national unity would be a central principle of his presidency if he wins the 2027 presidential election.
“That’s why my presidency is about unity of the country, and it’s important that people understand that,” he added.
The 1966 coup remains one of the most consequential events in Nigeria’s political history.
The uprising contributed to the collapse of the First Republic and was followed by counter-coup, ethnic violence and the eventual outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967.
The events have continued to feature in political and public debates, particularly when questions of ethnicity, regional identity and national integration arise.
Obi’s comments place emphasis on separating contemporary political leadership from historical events that occurred before many present-day political actors were born.
His appeal for unity also comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 presidential election, with competing candidates seeking support across Nigeria’s diverse regions and communities.
The former Anambra State governor has previously presented national cohesion as an important part of his political message, arguing that economic development and effective governance require a stable and united country.
The remarks also reflect the difficult balance facing Nigerian politicians when addressing painful episodes in the country’s history.
For many Nigerians, the 1966 coup and the conflicts that followed remain deeply sensitive subjects.
Calls for reconciliation therefore often involve acknowledging historical suffering while resisting attempts to transfer responsibility across generations.
Obi’s message was that Nigeria should focus on what can be built in the present rather than allowing old divisions to determine the country’s future.
As the 2027 campaign season gathers momentum, his emphasis on unity is likely to remain central to his effort to appeal to voters across regional and ethnic lines.
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For Obi, the argument is straightforward: historical grievances should be remembered and understood, but they should not prevent Nigerians from pursuing a common future.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
