We, the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination, condemn the horrendous attempted revision of history by the arch-genocidist called General Yakubu Gowon, who now seeks to deflect responsibility for his heinous crimes during the Nigerian Civil War. In his recent statement, where he tries to absolve himself by claiming that the war was caused by the South-East’s desire to secede, Gowon continues to insult the memory of the millions of innocent Biafran men, women, and children who were mercilessly slaughtered under his watch.
Let us not mince words: General Gowon was, and remains, an arch-genocidist who, through his military campaigns and blockade tactics, caused the death of over two million Biafran civilians—men, women, and children alike. His armies unleashed violence on an unimaginable scale, systematically starving civilians, executing unarmed combatants, and pillaging towns. His claim that the war was inevitable because of Biafra’s secessionist ambitions is both disingenuous and insulting to the memory of those who suffered and perished under his watch.
The very comparison Gowon makes between himself and Abraham Lincoln is not only misguided but deeply offensive. Lincoln’s leadership during the American Civil War was aimed at ending slavery and unifying a nation through a commitment to human rights and equality. In stark contrast, Gowon’s tenure was characterised by ethnic cleansing, suppression of dissent, and a disregard for human life, particularly Igbo lives. His forces committed atrocities that no amount of historical revisionism can erase.
To suggest that the Civil War was the fault of the South-East for desiring secession is to ignore the root causes of the conflict. The war was precipitated not by Biafra’s aspirations for self-determination, but by the refusal of Gowon’s government to address the systemic injustices, marginalisation, and ethnic violence perpetrated against the Igbo people following the 1966 pogroms. Biafra’s call for independence was not born of a desire to destabilise Nigeria but as a response to the existential threat posed to the Igbo people by a regime that had clearly demonstrated its willingness to slaughter them with impunity.
It is essential to highlight the hypocrisy of Gowon’s appeal for “national unity.” During his reign, Nigeria was anything but united. It was a country divided by ethnic strife, fuelled by political ambition, and held together by the brute force of military might. The so-called “reintegration” he speaks of was achieved not through reconciliation or justice but through coercion, violence, and the subjugation of the Igbo people. The scars of that war remain to this day, and for Gowon to now paint himself as a champion of unity is an affront to the memories of the millions who died at his behest.
Moreover, it is indeed a grave error for Governor Peter Obi to eulogise a man like Gowon beyond wishing him a mere birthday greeting, to which any human being is entitled. To go further, however, and laud his contributions as anything other than the orchestration of mass murder is a profound misjudgment. Governor Obi, a figure known for his advocacy for fairness and equity, should be more circumspect in lending credibility to a man whose hands are stained with the blood of millions of Igbo sons and daughters.
Gowon must continue to suffer, in both life and death, for his role in the genocidal campaign that decimated the Igbo population. The spirits of the millions who perished due to his calculated violence shall forever haunt him, ensuring that his legacy is one of shame and ignominy. His heinous actions can not be excused or forgotten. History will remember him, not as a unifier or hero, but as a monster who, in his bid to preserve Nigeria, destroyed countless lives and communities.
Let us be clear: the Nigerian Civil War was not an unfortunate consequence of secessionist ambitions. It was a deliberate and brutal attempt to crush a people’s quest for self-determination, orchestrated by a regime that saw the Igbo not as fellow citizens but as enemies to be exterminated Gowon’s attempts to shift the blame must be met with unwavering resistance, for the truth of his crimes must never be forgotten.
Finally, it is time that the truth of Gowon’s actions is fully acknowledged, both in Nigeria and the world over. His genocidal crimes against the Igbo-Biafrans must be recognised for what they are: an unpardonable atrocity that continues to resonate in the collective memory of a people. As we remember those who perished, we must also continue to demand justice and accountability, ensuring that such horrors are never repeated.
Uche Mefor is the Convenor of the Igbo-Biafra Nationalist and the Indigenous People of Nation for Self-determination
