Gowon will be remembered for standing for love, protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty during civil war – Peter Obi

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has praised a former military ruler, Yakubu Gowon, for his “exemplary leadership,” saying Mr Gowon will be remembered for standing for loving and protecting Nigeria’s sovereignty during bloody civil war.

In a birthday message shared on his X page on Saturday, Mr Obi said Mr Gowon’s “exemplary leadership and statesmanship remain an inspiration to younger and many generations of Nigerians.”

“In a time of hate, you (Gowon) stood for love. At a time of strife, you stood for peace. At a time of division, you stood for unity. Your life of service to our great nation, Nigeria, stands as one of sacrifice, leadership, and unity,” Mr Obi said.

He added, “Your steadfast commitment to preserving the peace and sovereignty of Nigeria during a challenging period in our history will forever be remembered and revered.”

Mr Gowon ruled Nigeria between 1966 and 1975 during which a civil war broke out.

The Nigeria-Biafra war broke out in 1967 following the South-East’s secession from Nigeria. The war lasted 30 months, ending in 1970.

Though Mr Gowon at the time declared the war “no victory no vanquish,” historians are still lamenting the country’s failure to ensure a proper reconciliation and closure over 60 years on.

An estimated three million people were reportedly killed during the war, many rounded up by soldiers and shot at close range while hundreds of thousands starved to death.

Although the war was not properly documented, several accounts with substantial corroboration indicated how soldiers massacred Igbo civilians in Asaba, Onitsha, and Enugu, amongst other communities in the region.