Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria’s Military Coup Culture (1966-1976)

Review of Oil, Politics and ViolenceAuthor: Max SiollunPublisher: Algora Publishing, New YorkLength: 268 pagesI have now finished reading Max Siollun’s “Oil, Politics and Violence”. When I picked up the book three days ago, the idea was to read about a chapter or two of the 17 chapters over the next two weeks, to give room for other things I’ve been busy with. It is a testament to Siollun’s excellent effort as a writer and scholar that I ended up finishing the book in three days, mostly in late night readings.It wasn’t the most enthusiastic start, I must confess. In the preface, it seemed to me that the author could not hold back on giving his opinions on a wide range of issues, mostly directed at the Nigerian military who “threatened the corporate existence of the country as two different factions of the army attempted to secede, replicated Nigeria’s political and societal cleavages within itself, and plunged the country into brutal famine...” Most Nigerians would share this sentiment. Nevertheless, I found myself saying “oh, not again”. We’ve had quite enough opinionated biographies from protagonists of those turbulent years. Those writings have their values in public discourse, but they also require considerable amount of sieving and filtering in order to get hold of the facts and grasp the truth.With hindsight, I would say that the preface did not do Siollun’s effort justice. Perhaps that was a preface that should have been an epilogue. For what followed in the following pages is a tour de force, and in my judgment the best book out there at the moment on the subject. Siollun has managed to put together a book that is at once uncompromising in its scholarly rigour, painstaking in its attention to detail, and forceful in its compelling narrative. It is not a book you will put down in a hurry.The book is organised into 17 chapters, roughly in chronological order from the country’s independence in 1960 to the Dimka coup in 1976. The bulk of the narrative covered the period between 1966 and 1976. When the British General Officer Commanding Officer of the Nigerian armed forces, Major General Christopher Welby-Everard, was due to leave the role in 1965, there were four senior Nigerian officers, all Brigadiers, in contention- three southerners and one Northerner. Aguiyi-Ironsi was the most decorated, having led a UN mission in the Congo with distinction. He however has relatively little knowledge of the Nigerian army and politics, having been away from the country for a long time. Samuel Ademulegun was commended for his excellent military knowledge and forceful personality, but he was also considered controversial because of his open friendship with politicians such as Ahmad Bello and Akintola. Zakariya Mailalari the youngest of all. He was also reputed to be a no-nonsense disciplinarian who would brook no disobedience. Being the most senior officer from the North, he was seen a role model to the Northern members of the armed forces. Ogundipe was also commended for his professionalism and knowledge of the army. He was also the least controversial and least politicised. Ogundipe was recommended to succeed Welby-Everard, but Aguiyi-Ironsi ultimately got the job. The NCNC reportedly canvassed on his behalf.The next ten years from the appointment of Aguiyi-Ironsi as head of army, and subsequently head of state, saw four coups (including two in 1966), a devastating civil war, all with trails of blood and destruction in their wake. A lot of these were driven by more than one fortuitous turn of events that could have shaped Nigeria’s history in a different direction. For example, Aguiyi-Ironsi escaped the January 1966 coup by sheer luck, and he could have escaped being killed in July 1966 if, for example, some telephone calls connected to the right person. Similarly, Obasanjo could have been killed in February 1976, and if Dimka was not such a stupid drunk, Babangida would not have escaped the radio station alive, from where he’d gone to speak to Dimka. Again, Nigeria could have broken up following the counter-coup spearheaded by secessionist Northern officers in July 1976 under the leadership of Murtala Mohammed. The secessionists should make a complete U-turn to be unionist, whilst the erstwhile unionist became secessionists. As it happens, the direction the story of the country took disastrous consequences, notably in the tragic civil war, and the pogrom before it. Siollun did not hold back in details of the unmitigated death and destruction that was meted out to innocent Igbo soldiers and civilians in an unprecedented frenzy and reign of terror.The particular strength of the book is the careful and dispassionate manner in which Siollun treated his source materials, bringing otherwise disparate and sometimes contradictory views and perspectives together in a coherent, seamless narrative. For good measure, the book is replete with copious footnotes and an extensive bibliography that would, on their own, make the book worth every penny. The reader is invited, in effect, to check the facts for themselves.Nevertheless you are still left wanting more. Siollun, for example, provided very little detail about key politicians such as Azikiwe and Awolowo. There were a few references here and there, of course. There have been questions and debates around the extent to which these politicians interacted with soldiers, and I would have loved to read more about this. What were the exact circumstances of Zik’s absence from the country in January 1966, beyond the point stated that he convalescing overseas? What about Awolowo? It would have been interesting to see a more detailed discussion of the January coupist’s preference for him to be installed as the head of the new government. Also, a bit more on his role in Gowon’s government and the civil war. I suppose you can’t have it all in any one book.This book should certainly be on your shelf, whether you have just casual interest in Nigeria,or you are actively engaged in political participation or public intellection and debate on what or if to make of the current structure of the Nigerian nation-state. For younger Nigerians, this is one book that should be on the list of the book to read before you complete your undergraduate studies. Without the knowledge the book provides, whether or not you acquire it in the book or elsewhere, I don’t think your education is complete.Happy reading!Seun Kolade, April 2020

This account of the recent politics of military governance in Nigeria, is a compendium of knowledge derived from a wide range of primary and secondary sources, including eyewitness accounts. The author has done a diligent job of distilling these disparate sources, and their varying degrees of accuracy, into an unbiased and comprehensive narrative. The book manages a healthy balance between a citizen's passion and the professional detachment essential for genuine historical research. The account is detailed and accurate and this book will become the definitive reference work on this critical period of Nigerian history. There are a few production gremlins, mainly typographical errors, dotted around the book and one hopes these would be corrected in the next edition. The extensive bibliography enables those so inclined to check the sources and improve both the veracity of one's conclusions and range of knowledge.All considered, this is the best book currently available in this genre and is a must-read for all those who have an interest in the recent history of Nigeria, and the military's role in it. It ought to be read and digested by Nigerian citizens,leaders and friends as well as foreign academics, diplomats and politicians with an interest in Africa's most populous nation and a major regional economic force.

Nigeria my country. This book is a page turner. Anyone who does not learn from history is bond to repeat it.Our problems in Nigeria are not new, althought this book chronicles events from 1960, it shocking that the problems then are still the problems hindering us today. Corruption and accusation of corruption, Ethnicity and Tribalism, Greed and Selfishness.We can only be hopeful that things will be better.

It's a great read. Very informative

An up to date comprehensive narrative of contemporary Nigerian history. This book should be read by all Nigerians. The reader would be pleasantly surprised with many revelations in the book. The book did a good job in dispelling many myths or innuendos which abound in Nigerian public discourse.The book presented an unbiased view of events backed up with detailed research and sources. The reader would never found a dull moment in each page of the book. I'm quite excited with this book.

I have read this book twice and bought a few as presents for friends. The author has done a very good job and I cannot wait to read his next book "Soldiers of Fortune". Every true Nigerian needs a copy for posterity.

Perfect for understanding the pre-independence to the 2nd republic nigerian history. Contains stuff no history or government teacher will tell you in Nigerian schools. It is a wonderful buy and should be recommended widely

Great piece. Detailed insightful and unbiased version of Nigeria's early history.I could not leave this book until i finished reading it. It give a deep understanding of why Nigeria is where we are right now.

Max Siollun's well-researched book, "Oil, Politics and Violence," is required reading for all Nigerians, their friends and their critics, including those long dead, those now living, and those yet to be born. Audacious, balanced and perceptive, the brisk narrative is non-stop reading that you would hate to finish because good reads do in fact finish unless you paused. The book will feed your mind, touch your heart, and pain your body over pages and passages of good intentions, bloody intrigues and politicized soldiering for power and opportunity. Apparently, the country and the mass of impoverished Nigerians have been the worse for it all. The painstaking author brings together what many others have attempted to do by way of lopsided period accounts, biographies, autobiographies and memoirs of varying quality. If there is just one book worth having on the most trying decade and the first fifty years of Nigeria's flag independence since 1960, this would be it. Go out and get a copy of this graphic and visceral book for you and your friends and foes alike. Despite or because of the proven crass irresponsibility of the country's successive generations of civilian and military politicians, you all might just end up taking Nigeria's leadership and followership fortunes and vicissitudes a lot more seriously. A country so well endowed with natural and human resources not only can do a lot better, but deserves a lot more than the corruption and ineptitude that have become standard operating procedure in both high and low places. It is time the curse of oil became transformed into the blessings of socioeconomic opportunity and improved standards of living for the masses.K.G.

This book is a must-read for every Nigerian and everyone interested in Nigerian history. Siollun's research and knowledge of the period is as good as it gets. His analysis of what led to the coups and the factors for success and failure are insightful and have proven true in Nigerian history. I can't stop gushing about this book.

First I would say if you are a child of Independence ( 1958 - 1966), you should run to buy this book.It will explain so many things that you experienced as a child but can only relate to as an adult. If you ever played the game where you had to be as stiff as a board while your pals lifted you up - you will now only realize that you were pretending to be a corpse from the Nigerian civil war.The only thing I can truly say is buy the book and read it yourself.It starts fairly slowly creating the impression of a Phd thesis but from the second chapter and beyond when the "fly on the wall" accounts of fairly inane events by (mostly drunken) elements whose names are familiar and perhaps even whose children are or were friends are related, you suddenly start to realize how Nigeria is the way it is today.Run, do not walk, and to get your own copy of this book.

It is very clear to anyone, who knows a thing or two about Nigerian History that this book is very well researched and written. Max writes the book, similar to the way a detective solves a case. All the facts are dissected from multiple angles and then various hypotheses are drawn out, until the most logical conclusion is arrived at. For a 268 page book, it is cornucopia of facts and tidbits of soldiers and politicians, who shaped the political landscape of Nigeria.He also does an extremely good job of setting the atmosphere, the expectations and grievances of various groups and interest, and also getting into the minds of the numerous "principals". So, as a reader, you now have a very intimate understanding of who shaped and influenced the various coups, and counter-coups; and why.The ingredients for the "Nigerian" problem is transparent and well laid out in the pages of the book. However, my only disappointment is that Max Siollun does not offer a solution. I guess he can't do it all, that is left for the readers to figure out from being familiar with the causes.

Max has done an excellent job putting this book together! It is absolutely a must read for any Nigerian or anyone interested in Nigeria's history. What makes this book so unique is that it is devoid of ethnic and religious sentiments that often colour writings relating to Nigerian history. Max's research is stunning and this makes this work absolutely remarkable.The events chronicled about in this book show how the politicization of Nigeria's military led to the ruin of democratic institutions in Nigeria and emphasises the timeless words that "Those that do not heed history are doomed to repeat it".This is surely a CLASSIC and every Nigerian should be grateful to Max for writing this book. For a country where much of what is believed is "hearsay", it is refreshing to read an unbiased account of which I believe are based on factual events.If you have read this review, you should read "Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture 1966-1976" by Max SiollunDimu Ehalaiye,Wellington, New Zealand