Former Nigerian military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has said that the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafra War, was not a decision made out of choice or hatred, but rather a necessity aimed at preserving national unity.
Gowon, who ruled Nigeria during the civil conflict from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970, made the remark on Saturday while receiving a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship, Abuja Anglican Diocese.
“The civil war was the most difficult period of my life,” he said. “It was not my choice, but I had to be there and had to do what I did in order to keep this country together. It was never a hatred against any people, I can assure you.”
Call for Unity and Forgiveness
The former leader emphasized the importance of reconciliation, forgiveness, and national unity across religious and ethnic lines. He reiterated that his actions during and after the war were guided by prayer and a commitment to doing what he believed was right for all Nigerians.
“As far as this heart is concerned, everything that I do, it is through prayers,” Gowon said. “I ask God to help me to do the right thing the way He thinks it should be done, with love and respect for all the people.”
Recalling the spirit of national healing after the war, he echoed the famous phrase that defined his post-war approach: “As they say: no victor, no vanquished.”
What you should know
General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s military leader during the Biafra civil war, has reiterated that the conflict was never his desire.
Speaking at a Christian men’s convention in Abuja, he called for national reconciliation and emphasized that his wartime decisions were made in the interest of unity—not out of hatred.
