Brigadier Murtala Muhammed's First Address as the New Head of State - July 30, 1975
Fellow Nigerians
Events of the past few years have indicated thatdespite our great human and material resources, the
Government has not been able to fulfill the legitimate
expectations of our people. Nigeria has been left to
drift. This situation, if not arrested, would
inevitably have resulted in chaos and even bloodshed.
In the endeavour to build a strong, united and virile
nation, Nigerians have shed much blood. The thought of
further bloodshed, for whatever reasons must, I am
sure, be revolting to our people. The Armed Forces,
having examined the situation, came to the conclusion
that certain changes were inevitable.
After the civil war, the affairs of state, hitherto a
collective responsibility, became characterized by
lack of consultation, indecision, indiscipline and
even neglect. Indeed, the public at large became
disillusioned and disappointed by these developments.
This trend was clearly incompatible with the
philosophy and image of a corrective regime. Unknown
to the general public, the feeling of disillusionment
was also evident among members of the armed forces
whose administration was neglected but who, out of
sheer loyalty to the Nation, and in the hope that
there would be a change, continued to suffer in
silence.
Things got a stage where the head of adnministration
became virtually inaccessible even to official
advisers; and when advice was tendered, it was often
ignored.
Responsible opinion, including advice by eminent
Nigerians, traditional rulers, intellectuals, et
cetera, was similarly discarded. The leadership,
either by design or default, had become too
insensitive to the true feelings and yearnings of the
people. The nation was thus plunged inexorably into
chaos.
It was obvious that matters could not, and should not,
be allowed in this manner, and in order to give the
nation a new lease of life, and sense of direction,
the following decisions were taken:
1. The removal of General Yakubu Gowon as Head of the
Federal Military Government and Commander in Chief of
the Armed Forces.
2. The retirement of General Yakubu Gowon from the
Armed Forces in his present rank of General with full
benefits, in recognition of his past services to the
nation.
3. General Gowon will be free to return to the country
as soon as conditions permit; he will be free to
pursue any legitimate undertakings of his choice in
any part of the country. His personal safety and
freedom and those of his family will be guaranteed.
4. The following members of the Armed Forces are
retired with immediate effect:
Vice Admiral JEA Wey - Chief of Staff, Supreme HQ,
Major-General Hassan Katsina - Deputy Chief of Staff,Supreme HQ,
Major-General David Ejoor - Chief of Staff(Army),
Rear Admiral Nelson Soroh - Chief of Naval
Staff,
Brigadier EE Ikwue - Chief of Air Staff, and
all other officers of the rank of major general (or
equivalent) and above.
Alhaji Kam Salem - Inspector General of Police,
Chief
TA Fagbola - Deputy Inspector General of Police
5. Also with immediate effect, all the present
Military Governors, and the Administrator of East
Central State, have been relieved of their
appointments and retired.
6. As you are already aware, new appointments have
been made as follows:
Brigadier TY Danjuma - Chief of Army Staff,
Colonel
John Yisa Doko - Chief of Air Staff,
Commodore Michael
Adelanwa - Chief of Naval Staff,
Mr. MD Yusuf -
Inspector General of Police
New Military Governors have also been appointed for
the States as follows:
1. Lt. Col. Muhammed Buhari, North East
2. Colonel
George Innih, Midwest
3. Lt. Col. Sani Bello, Kano
4.
Captain Adekunle Lawal (Navy), Lagos
5. Lt. Col. Paul
Omu, South East
6. Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo, Kwara
7.
Captain Akin Aduwo, (Navy), West
8. Col. Anthony
Ochefu, East Central
9. Lt. Col. Usman Jibrin, North
central
10. Col. Abdullahi Mohammed, Benue-Plateau
11.
Lt. Col. Umaru Mohammed, North West
12. Lt. Col.
Zamani Lekwot, Rivers
The Structure of Government has been reorganized.
There will now be three organs of government at the
federal level namely,
(i) The Supreme Military Council
(ii) The National
Council of States
(iii) The Federal Executive Council
There will of course continue to be Executive Councils
at the State level. The reconstituted Supreme Military
Council will comprise the following:
The Head of State and C-in-C of the Armed Forces
Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo - Chief of Staff, SHQ
Brigadier TY Danjuma - Chief of Army Staff
Commodore
Michael Adelanwa - Chief of Naval Staff
Col. John Yisa
Doko - Chief of Air Staff
Mr. MD Yusuf - IG of Police
GOCs -
1st Division, Brigadier Julius Akinrinade
2nd
Division, Brigadier Martin Adamu
3rd Division,
Brigadier Emmanuel Abisoye
L.G.O., Brigadier John
Obada
Colonel Joseph Garba
Lt. Col Shehu YarAdua
Brigadier
James Oluleye
Brigadier Iliya Bisalla
Colonel Ibrahim
Babangida
Lt. Col Muktar Muhammed
Colonel Dan Suleiman
Captain Olufemi Olumide (NN)
Captain H Husaini
Abdullahi (NN)
Mr. Adamu Suleman, Commissioner of
Police
Lt. Col. Alfred Aduloju
Lt. Commander Godwin
Kanu (NN)
All the civil commissioners in the Federal Executive
Council are relieved of their appointments with
immediate effect. The composition of the new Executive
Council will be announced shortly.
Political Programme
We will review the political programme and make an
announcement in due course. In the meantime, a panel
will be set up to advise on the question of new
states. A panel will also be set up to advise on the
question of the federal capital.
With due regard to the 1973 population census, it is
now clear that whatever results are announced will not
command general acceptance throughout the country. It
has, therefore, been decided to cancel the 1973
population census. Accordingly, for planning purposes,
the 1963 census figures shall continue to be used.
A panel will be set up to advise on the future of the
Interim Common Services Agency (ICSA) and the Eastern
States Interim Assets and Liability Agency (ESIALA).
The Second World Black and African Festival of Arts
and Culture is postponed in view of the obvious
difficulties in providing all the necessary
facilities. Consultations will be held with other
participating countries with a view to fixing a new
date.
Finally, we reaffirm this country's friendship with
all countries. Foreign nationals living in Nigeria
will be protected. Foreign investments will also be
protected. The government will honour all obligations
entered into by the previous Governments of the
Federation. We will also give continued support to the
Organization of African Unity, the United Nations
Organization, and the Commonwealth.
Fellow Countrymen, the task ahead of us calls for
sacrifice and self discipline at all levels of our
society. This government will not tolerate
indiscipline. The Government will not condone abuse of
office.
I appeal to you all to cooperate with the Government
in our endeavour to give this nation a new lease of
life. This change of Government has been accomplished
without shedding any blood; and we intend to keep it
so.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
