APC chieftain Bashir Ahmad defends Peter Obi over 1966 coup blame
APC chieftain and former presidential spokesperson Bashir Ahmad has said that Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi should not be held responsible for the 1966 coup, noting that Obi was barely four years old at the time. Ahmad made the comment after watching an Arise TV interview where the anchor told Obi that some people in the North still hold the Igbo responsible for the killing of Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, during the coup. In the interview, Obi responded that he could not be blamed for events he did not participate in. Sharing a clip of the interview on his X account, Ahmad stated, "Nobody should be judged or held responsible for the wrongdoings of others," and stressed that Obi should not be blamed due to his identity or background. He urged that everyone be judged by their own actions, not by the actions of others. The 1966 coup remains a sensitive historical event in Nigeria, often invoked in ethnic and political debates, especially as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. Ahmad’s defense highlights how historical narratives continue to shape voter perceptions and the importance of separating personal responsibility from collective ethnic identity. As Nigerians evaluate candidates for upcoming elections, should they judge individuals based on their own records and actions rather than inherited ethnic grievances?