General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), the former head of state of the military, has been urged by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the highest Igbo socio-cultural organisation, to ask for forgiveness and apologise to the Igbo people for his recent remarks regarding the Biafra civil war.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, an Ohanaeze chieftain, called Gowon’s comment “inflammatory” and encouraged him to make efforts towards reconciliation.
Gowon’s most recent statement, made after seeing President Bola Tinubu, according to Isiguzoro, has caused pain to the Igbo people, both at home and abroad.
The Igbo people’s collective psyche has been severely harmed by Gowon’s insensitive and misleading narrative about the Biafra war, according to the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze.
Gowon, who ruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, remembered how people had criticised him for being too slow to pursue the civil war.
The factional Secretary-General denounced the comment and pushed Gowon to consider his conduct and the long-term effects of the Biafra civil war.
According to an Isiguzoro statement, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo issues a resolute and imperative call for reconciliation and healing to be initiated by Gowon himself in response to the ceaseless and inflammatory comments made by the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, regarding the experiences of the Biafra war.”
We steadfastly maintain that Gowon must now accept accountability for his part in the sad past occurrences. His constant exaltation of the suppression of the Biafran struggle is detrimental to the healing and togetherness of the country.
“We remind General Gowon that he has a divine opportunity to seek atonement and make sincere apologies for the anguish and suffering inflicted upon the Igbo people, especially in light of the almost 3 million Igbo lives lost during the war.
Gowon must own up to the crimes, own up to his wrongdoings, and offer the Igbo people his heartfelt apologies for his part in the fighting.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasises that our country may only attain enduring peace and harmonious coexistence by authentic reconciliation, anchored on genuine remorse and penitence.
“The Igbo people’s tenacity, their capacity for forgiveness, and their dedication to the country’s progress cannot be disputed, but as long as Gowon continues to reopen old wounds with his hurtful remarks, the scars of the past will remain.”
“It is imperative that General Gowon put aside his ego and show true leadership by atoning for his past transgressions.
As long as Igbos keep making constructive contributions to Nigeria’s progress and stand by President Tinubu’s administration, Gowon owes it to them to return the favour by encouraging an atmosphere of healing and reconciliation with both his words and deeds.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges General Yakubu Gowon to take advantage of this unique chance to ask for forgiveness, extend heartfelt apologies, and refrain from escalating the bitter recollections of the Biafra conflict.
“Gowon needs to demonstrate humility, morality, and compassion for the war victims in order to create the conditions for real peace and healing in our country.”
