Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, asserts that one of the factors contributing to the overthrow of the Government of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, was the appointment of Engr. Odoh, a Kalabari man from Rivers State, as the General Manager of Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC), which later became Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
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Clark, in his autobiography “Brutally Frank,” spanning 688 pages, recounts that within Gowon’s government, the late former Head of State and Federal Commissioner for Communications, along with others, harbored concerns about Odoh’s appointment due to his perceived Igbo ethnicity, which they deemed a security risk. When Gowon announced Engr. Odoh’s appointment as the new General Manager, Brig. Gen. Muhammed reportedly left the meeting without a word, indicating his disagreement.
The Overthrow of General Yakubu Gowon’s Government:
Clark discusses the varied views surrounding the 1975 overthrow of General Yakubu Gowon’s government. Dan Agbese, in his book “Ibrahim Babangida: The Military, Politics and Power in Nigeria,” highlights the government’s economic success and infrastructure development. However, internal dissent within the military, notably Col. Ibrahim Babangida and Col. Shehu Yar’Adua’s discussions in early 1975, signaled disenchantment with Gowon’s administration.
Yar’Adua’s mention of planning a coup against Gowon led to the involvement of other officers. The core coup plotters included Yar’Adua, Babangida, Joe Garba, Anthony Ochefu, Ibrahim Taiwo, and Abdullahi Mohammed. While some senior officers like Danjuma and Obasanjo were informed, they chose not to join the plot but also cautioned against bloodshed.
Clark’s Role and Insights:
Clark offers insights into the reshuffling of Gowon’s cabinet in 1974 and his own induction into the government in 1975. He notes disloyalty among certain cabinet members and discusses the reasons behind the 1975 coup. One significant factor was the appointment of Engr. Odoh as NNOC’s General Manager. Brigadier Murtala Mohammed, Federal Commissioner for Communications, vehemently opposed Odoh’s appointment, citing his Igbo ethnicity and alleged role during the civil war.
Clark emphasizes the tensions within the military and the cabinet, pointing to incidents that revealed disloyalty among officers. He recounts conversations with Gen. Murtala Muhammed, during which differences in opinion were starkly evident. Murtala’s role during the Nigerian Civil War and his subsequent involvement in the coup planning are discussed, underlining the complexity of his character.
In the midst of political turmoil, Clark’s concern for security and the future of Nigeria is palpable. He recounts his interactions with Gen. Gowon’s wife and the uncertainty surrounding the coup. His depiction of events provides a window into the atmosphere of the time.
Conclusion:
Chief Edwin Clark’s autobiography, “Brutally Frank,” offers a firsthand account of the political landscape during the era of General Yakubu Gowon’s government and its eventual overthrow in 1975. Through detailed anecdotes and insights, Clark sheds light on the factors that contributed to the upheaval, including internal dissent, dissatisfaction with cabinet members, and the controversial appointment of Engr. Odoh. The autobiography provides readers with a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history.
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