Lt. Col. Dimka's Coup Speech of 1976

Buka Suka Dimka, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Nigerian army, masterminded the abortive military coup of February 13, 1976 against the government of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed. The general was ambushed and assassinated on his way to work. Lieutenant Colonel Dimka later fled to eastern Nigeria from the premises of Radio Nigeria (where he had made a broadcast) after the coup had been crush. He planned a second broadcast that he never gave (this is presented as well). He was eventually arrested in the company with a prostitute in Abakaliki (Ebonyi State). He was a lover of booze. Following a court martial, Lieutenant Colonel Dimka and several military officers and civilians were executed by firing squad. His speeches are presented below. 

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Good morning fellow Nigerians,

This is Lt. Col. B. Dimka of the Nigerian Army calling.

Abacha's Coup Speech of November 1993

Reproduced below is the speech delivered by late General Sani Abacha, after booting Chief Ernest Shonekan, Head of Interim Government (ING), out of office. Abacha was ‘Vice President, Defence Secretary and Senior Minister’ by virtue of Decree 61promulgated by the General Ibrahim Babangida. With all those positions, it was only a matter of time before Abacha struck. He didn’t have to wait long, as a court declared ING illegal.

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Fellow Nigerians,

Sequel to the resignation of the former Head of the Interim National Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Ernest Shonekan and my subsequent appointment as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief, I have had extensive consultations within the armed forces hierarchy and other well meaning Nigerians in a bid to find solutions to the various political, economic and social problems which have engulfed our beloved country, and which have made life most difficult to the ordinary citizen of this nation.

Chief Ernest Shonekan took over as Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces at a most trying time in the history of the country.  Politically, economically, and socially, there were lots of uncertainties.  Things appeared bleak and the atmosphere was heavy with uncertainties.  However, driven by a belief in himself, his countrymen, and love for his country, he accepted to face the challenges of our time.  I will, therefore, like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to him for his selfless service to the nation.  He showed great courage at taking on the daunting task of heading the Interim National Government and even greater courage to know when to leave.

Abacha's 1983 Coup Speech

General Sani Abacha (1943 – 1998), the late dictator, made this speech after the 1983 military coup that kicked out President Shehu Shagari. He is reputed to have made the most coup speeches on air, starting with the one below.

                                                  

Late General Sani Abacha

THE 1983 MILITARY COUP SPEECH

Fellow country men and women,                                                                                    

I, Brigadier Sani Abacha, of the Nigerian Army address you this morning on behalf of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Major Gideon Orkar Failed Coup Speech

APRIL 1990 FAILED COUP D'ETAT SPEECH

                                                                                       

Fellow Nigerian Citizens,

Late Major Gideon Orkar

On behalf of the patriotic and well-meaning peoples of the Middle Belt and the southern parts of this country, I, Major Gideon Orkar, wish to happily inform you of the successful ousting of the dictatorial, corrupt, drug baronish, evil man, deceitful, homo-sexually-centered, prodigalistic, un-patriotic administration of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. We have equally commenced their trials for unabated corruption, mismanagement of national economy, the murders of Dele Giwa, Major-General Mamman Vasta, with other officers as there was no attempted coup but mere intentions that were yet to materialise and other human rights violations.

The National Guard already in its formative stage is disbanded with immediate effect.  Decrees Number 2 and 46 are hereby abrogated. We wish to emphasise that this is not just another coup but a well conceived, planned and executed revolution for the marginalised, oppressed and enslaved peoples of the Middle Belt and the south with a view to freeing ourselves and children yet unborn from eternal slavery and colonisation by a clique of this country.