During the unrest following the January 15, 1966 military coup led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi seized power and became Nigeria’s first military head of state. Below is his first address to the nation. First Speech by General Aguiya Ironsi “The Government of the Federation of Nigeria has suspended its operations, the Nigerian Armed Forces have been directed to form an interim military government to maintain law and order and maintain essential services.” This invitation has been accepted and I, General J.T.U.Aguiyi-Ironsi, Commander General of the Nigerian Army, has been formally entrusted with the role of Head of the Military Government of the Federation and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Suspension of some parts of the constitution.
The military government of the Federation decrees:
A. Suspension of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federation relating to the office of the President, the institution of Parliament and the function of the Prime Minister;
b) Suspension of the provisions of the Constitution of the Regions relating to the creation of the offices of regional governors, regional prime ministers, executive councils and regional legislative assemblies.
Appointment of regional military governors of the Federation .
The military government also decides:
a) That a military governor be appointed in each region of the Federation who will be directly responsible to the federal military government for the good governance of the region;
b) Appointment as Military Adviser to the Regional Governor of the last person to exercise the function of Regional Governor in accordance with the suspended provisions of the Constitution.
JUDICIAL, CIVIL SERVICE AND POLICE of the Federation
The military government also provides:
a) That the President of the Supreme Court and all other judges of the Federation continue to exercise their functions and that the judiciary in general continues to exist in accordance with its current status act;
b) That all public servants in the Federation and the regions will continue to discharge their duties and discharge their duties in the normal manner and that the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Special Police Force will also continue to discharge their own functions. works normally;
c) That all local government police forces and national government police forces be placed under the overall command of the Inspector General.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS POLICY
The Federation Military Government announces, in connection with the internal affairs of the Federation:
a) that it is determined to suppress the current disorder in the Western Region and in the Tiv area of the Northern Region;
b) that it will declare Martial Law in any area of the Federation in which disturbances continue;
c) that it is its intention to maintain law and order in the Federation until such time as a new Constitution for the Federation, prepared in accordance with the wishes of the people, is brought into being.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS POLICY
The Federation Military Government announces, in connection with the external affairs of the country:
a) that it is desirous of maintaining the existing diplomatic relations with other States;
b) and that it is its intention to honour all treaty obligations and all financial agreements and obligations entered into by the previous government.
CITIZENS TO CO-OPERATE
The Federation Military Government calls upon all citizens of the Federation to extend their full co-operation to the Government in the urgent task of restoring law and order in the present crisis, and to continue in their normal occupations.
