Aminu Kano

==== Ironsi's regime ====
{{See also|1966 Nigerian coup d'état|}}
Despite the optimism among his fellow NEPU members, who believed they could fill the political vacuum left by the coup, Aminu approached the Ironsi regime cautiously. Representing his party, he sent a 'cautiously worded' telegram to the government, avoiding swearing allegiance but expressing hope that the Ironsi regime would unite the nation and advance democratisation. Ironsi quickly became unpopular in the North and West regions due to his disregard for the political class of these regions, favouring the emirs and chiefs instead . The only influential political figures in the new administration were the former Governors, now serving as advisers to the military governors. The new situation in the North began to resemble the old indirect rule of the British colonialists, which further increased the animosity against the regime, especially within the radical circles. Three months into his rule, Aminu was holding talks with Joseph Tarka and Maitama Sule regarding what they considered "a common threat to Nigeria".<ref name=":14" />{{Rp|pages=332-333}}<ref name=":27" />{{Rp|pages=380-381}} Around the time of this meeting, Ironsi eventually agreed to set up a meeting with Aminu. Aminu outlined the challenges facing the North and proposed solutions. Ironsi, however, seemed to be unintrested, hence, Aminu's efforts were "to no avail". Subsequently, Aminu relied on the relatively conservative Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, to convey his radical ideas to the Supreme Commander.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|pages=222-223}}

In May, Ironsi issued the controversial "Unification Decree" which abolished the regions of Nigeria and replaced with "groups of provinces". Additionally, the Decree unified the previously regionalised civil services. He further abolished all political parties and cultural associations in an attempt to attack 'tribalism'. The announcement of the Decree heightened tensions in the North, where the majority of the elite groups felt increasingly alienated from the government in Lagos. They felt that the Decree was not adequately discussed with them and contained conditions "unfavourable to them".<ref name=":27" />{{Rp|page=647}} In Kano, around two hundred students, mostly from [[Bayero University Kano|Abdullahi Bayero College]], [[Rumfa College, Kano|Rumfa College]], and the School for Arabic Studies, organised a protest and presented the Emir of Kano a written statement to deliver to the Military Governor of the Northern Region, [[Hassan Katsina]]. The following day, riots broke out in the city, with the rioters targeting Igbo traders, resulting in the deaths of around 100 to 200 persons, primarily Igbos but also including others caught in the disturbances. A tribunal was established to investigate the riots, with its head being [[Lionel Brett|Sir Lionel Brett]], a British judge of the [[Supreme Court of Nigeria|Nigerian Supreme Court]]. Sir Brett's tribunal never passed its judgement as Ironsi's regime ended after he was killed on 29 July 1966.<ref name=":29" />{{Rp|pages=75-79}}<ref name=":27" />{{Rp|page=|pages=134, 382-383}}

In July, Ironsi organised a conference with the country's most influential emirs and chiefs in [[Ibadan]]. During the conference, he instructed them on singing the national anthem and expressed his intention to post them roles around Nigeria similar to the military governors, a suggestion that was so controversial, Sarkin Kano Ado Bayero walked out of the conference. On 29 July 1966, a [[1966 Nigerian counter-coup|counter-coup]] led mostly by officers from the North was launched, resulting in Ironsi's assassination in Ibadan.<ref name=":27" />{{Rp|page=385}} On 1 August 1966, Lt-Colonel [[Yakubu Gowon]] was appointed Head of State after being requested by the [[Supreme Military Council of Nigeria (1966–1979)|Supreme Military Council]] (SMC) to assume command.<ref name=":27" />{{Rp|page=52}}