Decades after the gμns fell silent, former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has revisited the pa!nful memories of the Nigerian Civil War, declaring boldly that it was never his choice to go to war.
In a recent reflection shared across several media platforms, Gowon stated:
“The war was not my wish. It was the last resort. If the South-East didn’t attempt secession, there would have been no war.”
Gowon, who led Nigeria through the 1967–1970 c0nflict, said his decisions were guided by duty, not ego or personal ambition.
“My responsibility was to keep Nigeria together. That’s what I did. And I have no regrets,” he emphasized.
The elder statesman warned about the rising tension in today’s Nigeria, urging leaders and citizens alike to learn from history before it repeats itself.
“Let us not allow another war. Nigeria cannot survive it,” he cautioned.
His words come at a time when the country is deeply polarized along ethnic and political lines…rekindling national conversations about unity, justice, and the cost of peace.
Now the questions:
👉Did Gowon actually have a choice in preventing the war?
👉Should Gowon be praised or criticized for how he handled the war?
👉Do you believe the civil war was truly unavoidable?
👉Has Nigeria healed from the w0unds of 1967–1970?
What can young Nigerians learn from his statement today?
Let the conversation begin.💬
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