Recommendations made by the Representatives of the Regional Military Governors Meeting in Lagos on 9 August 1966

The meeting was declared open by the Head of the Federal Military Government and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at 12 noon.

In his opening address, the Supreme Commander referred to the difficult situation arising from the vents of July 29 and the resulting bitterness on all sides and implored the meeting to give consideration to ways of easing the situation and preparing ground for further action by the leaders of the country. In particular he referred to his policy statements in which he stressed his intention to abrogate Decree No. 34 and to modify or nullify any enactments that assumed extreme centralization in order to pave the way to return to civilian administration and national unity.

The meeting, after the Supreme Commander had taken leave of the delegates, unanimously chose Sir Kashim Ibrahim as its Chairman and the Eletu Odibo of Lagos as his supporter. 

In an effort to arrive at an Agenda for the meeting, members considered at some length the speech of the Supreme Commander and the proposed repeal of Decree No. 34 and similar enactments and finally agreed that the theme of the discussion should be the present situation in the country and ways and means of avoiding a recurrence.

In this regard, the meeting unanimously agreed that the greatest problem at the moment was the sense of insecurity within the Armed Forces which had hitherto been the greatest unifying force in the land. It agreed that a situation should exist where the Army should be entirely harmless to itself. It was accordingly agreed to recommend that: as far as possible the Army personnel should be posted to barracks in their Regions of origin with immediate effect as an interim measure; having regard to its peculiar position, the question of maintenance of peace and security in Lagos should be left to the Supreme Commander in consultation with the Military Governors.

Having dealt with the fears in the Army, the meeting tried to consider some grievances between the leaders of the country.

Discussion then took place on the need to expedite consultations on future constitutional arrangement so that decision can be reached as soon as possible. Most members agreed that these subject matters were of considerable urgency and that any procrastination might lead to more dangers. The meeting, however, found itself unable to proceed with the detailed discussions especially as the Governor of the Western Provinces had not completed consultations with Chiefs and leaders of thought. The meeting noted that such consultations had taken place in the North, East, Mid-West and Lagos. The committee accordingly agreed to adjourn for a short time, say one week, to enable the Western Provinces to complete their consultations.

Thereafter this Committee or an enlarged body should meet to recommend in broad outlines the form of political association which the country should adopt in the future. Meanwhile, every possible step should be taken to ensure that the situation in the country improves, and the Supreme Commander should be advised to make conditions suitable for the Supreme Military Council to meet at the earliest opportunity as a further means of lowering tension.

The meeting accordingly agreed to make the following recommendations:

Immediate steps should be taken by the Supreme Commander to post military personnel to barracks within their respective Regions of origin. Having regard to its peculiar position the question of maintenance of peace and security in Lagos should be left to the Supreme Commander in consultation with the Military Governors.

A meeting of this Committee or an enlarged body should take place in a week's time to recommend in broad outlines the form of political association which the country should adopt in the future.

Immediate steps should be taken to nullify or modify any provisions of any decree which assumes extreme centralization. The Supreme Commander should make conditions suitable for a meeting of the Supreme Military Council urgently as a further means of lowering tension.

Compiled by NOWAMAGBE AUSTIN OMOIGUI, MD