As Nigeria marks 50 years of the end of its Civil War, the Head of State during the strife, Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd), has said he committed no crime prosecuting it.
According to him, the urge to keep the country together necessitated it.
He said in an interview with the BBC: “The war wasn’t what someone wanted. It was fought by those who wanted Nigeria to remain one unlike those on the other side who wanted it to divide, that was what led to the war.
“Because of that, I will not say I committed a crime by going to war, it was out of our love for the unity of Nigeria, especially after the killing of Nigerian leaders of northern extraction, of our prominent officers from Lieutenant Colonel to General. I was the only one left. Those who want to foment fresh trouble should not do so.”.
er Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd.), who led the Nigerian side during the Nigerian Civil War (1969-1970), has said he does not have any problem if power shifts to the Igbo come 2023.”
Gowon added that for continued unity and peace, every part of the country should be allowed to rule.
He particularly said Igbos should also produce the President.
He added, “There was a time the PDP started rotational presidency, if that was continued maybe the Igbo would have produced a President but that didn’t happen. If that can be done now, I don’t have a problem with it. Anybody can govern. There are many people in Nigeria, if God gives them and they will govern with the fear of God and love for Nigerians, we will make the desired progress.”
