Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd), the presidential candidate of Action Alliance has stated that the decision of former military Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed to commission three oil refineries built by his predecessor General Yakubu Gowon was a major reason why he was killed.

On February 13, 1976, Murtala Muhammed was assassinated in a failed coup d’etat. He was killed in Lagos traffic while on his way to Dodan Barracks.

While speaking during a programme on Brekete Family, Hamza Al-Mustapha said “In 1976 Murtala came to power. One of the major mistakes of Murtala was his resolve to commission the three refineries Gowon came with. They were not commissioned. His first offense, he didn’t know, he was driven by patriotism, he said he will get them commissioned for them to take off, not only that.

“He also promised that the remaining program of getting five additional refineries conceived from the vision by General Gowon will come to fruition. He has already nailed himself without knowing. Six months after, General Murtala was killed in a coup, reasons were given, and blames were apportioned to some people. Till today if the 1976 coup is to be revisited, Nigerians are in for a shocker because it is a lie”.

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