Obasanjo Reflects on 1976 Coup, Says Everyone Thought It will End Nigeria

Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, monday reflected on the 1976 coup, saying that Nigerians thought it would end the nation called Nigeria.

Obasanjo explained that the misconception stemmed from the fact that most of those involved in the coup were Christians and for killing the Head of State, who was a Muslim, were seen as a bad signal for Nigeria.

The former president who was a host in the cast and crew of the yet-to-be released film, ‘1976’ (‘76) at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, said there were misconceptions about the coup, which upturned the political situation at the that time.

According to Obasanjo, the killing of a Muslim on a Friday by a gang thought to be Christians, particularly when we remembered the first coup, which upturned the political situation gave a bad signal. Where what will amount to; where will it lead us to and where will it lead us out? These were what Nigerians had in mind.

While describing the film which abridged parts were shown as “a mixture of sweet and sorrow”, Obasanjo commended the team for the production.

He said: “It will make us to remind ourselves not to go back to the dark days, which put us in go-no-go situation.”

He added: “We can have more of this, as there are more national issues that can be portrayed. We are capable of the best and that is what this film has shown,” he said.
However, the Executive Producer of the film, Prince Tonye Princewill, said the cast and crew of ‘1976’ were on tour of the country to seek support and endorsement for the film, billed to premier in November.

“The youth of today need to have a sense of the past, hence the resolve to have the film 1976, which is simply called ‘76”, he said.

Princewill said the visit to Obasanjo was important, “considering his position at that time in the country. We deemed it fit to come and show him the film and curry his endorsement, which as you can see we have got,” he said.