Legal historian and author Richard Akinsola shed light on the brutal legacy of Nigeria’s military era, citing staggering figures of public executions carried out under successive regimes.
Drawing from his new book, Akinsola disclosed that a total of 117 individuals were publicly executed by the military during its years in power.
“Anybody who has read this book and seen the damage the military has done even to itself will not even think about military government,” Akinsola said. He emphasized that these executions were not isolated events but systematic actions that reflected the violent and oppressive tendencies of military rule.
A particularly grim example he referenced was the infamous Orkar Coup of 1990, during which 68 individuals were executed following the failed attempt to overthrow the government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Akinsola noted that the list of those executed, including both military officers and civilians, is detailed in his book, which documents the internal implosions and human cost of military dominance in Nigeria’s political history.
The revelations have reignited conversations about Nigeria’s troubled relationship with authoritarianism and the lingering shadows of military governance in its democratic evolution. Akinsola’s insights, grounded in thorough archival research, aim to remind Nigerians of the consequences of undemocratic rule.
The podcast episode has sparked a wave of reactions across social media and political circles, with many calling for more public education on the nation’s past to prevent history from repeating itself.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with governance challenges, Akinsola’s message is clear: never again should the country flirt with the idea of military intervention.
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