By Adadareporters
General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), the former military head of state, should seek the forgiveness of the Igbo following his recent comments on the Biafran War.
A scribe of a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, made the demand on Mr Gowon. He described the former head of state’s comment as “inflammatoru”, and urged him to make efforts towards reconciliation.
Recall that Gowon told President Tinubu not to be worried about the criticisms of Nigerians on his performance following his assumption of office in May 2023.
He stated this while addressing newsmen after he visited Tinubu at the State House in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said that as a former leader of the country, he also faced similar criticisms when he started the civil war in 1967, and appealed to Nigerians to give Tinubu more time to solve the socioeconomic problems in the country.
In his words, “I was telling him that there’s no Nigerian leader that can get there that will not get all of these; all that is being said about him. But certainly, there is no doubt about all what one has heard and seen from various media. I think the government is trying its best to deal with the various problems of the country.
“But with Nigerians, don’t worry, you will get criticised, but people who get there know better than you know. I think all one can say to Nigerians is that they have to give the president time to get things really done and it is too early to sort of say perfect result will be achieved. That is my opinion.
“At least, if I remembered, I was told that I was too slow, fighting the war and that probably Nigeria would not make it and that we should seek for discussion. Well, did we do it or not? They probably did not know the problem there on the ground there.”
Isiguzoro, in a reaction, stated that the Igbo people’s collective psyche had been hurt by Gowon’s misleading narrative about the Biafra war.
Isiguzoro in a statement said, “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 three 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.”
