The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vehemently denounced recent statements made by former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, concerning the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War. Gowon, speaking at a Christian Men’s Fellowship event, characterized the war as a necessary measure to preserve national unity, emphasizing forgiveness and reconciliation. IPOB, however, has rejected this narrative, labeling Gowon’s remarks as a “provocative, insensitive, and shameless” attempt to rewrite history and downplay the atrocities committed against the Biafran people. They accuse Gowon of orchestrating a genocide, comparing his actions to those of Adolf Hitler.
IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, argues that Gowon’s portrayal of the war as a pursuit of unity is an insult to the millions of Biafrans who perished under his command. They see his words not as a call for healing, but as a calculated provocation that reopens old wounds. The group insists that Gowon’s legacy is stained with the blood of innocent Biafrans and that his calls for unity ring hollow in the face of his refusal to acknowledge the extent of the suffering he inflicted. IPOB maintains that true unity cannot be forged through force or coercion, especially within a nation as diverse as Nigeria.
Central to IPOB’s condemnation is Gowon’s alleged distortion of the events leading up to and during the war. They question his role in the breakdown of the Aburi Accord, a peace agreement reached in Ghana between Gowon and Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. IPOB accuses Gowon of reneging on the agreement, furthering the conflict, and perpetuating the false narrative of the January 1966 coup as an “Igbo plot,” despite evidence suggesting involvement from officers across Nigeria. They further challenge Gowon’s decision to abolish the regional system of governance, a system that, according to IPOB, fostered economic growth, in favor of a unitary structure that they believe was designed to exploit Biafra’s oil and gas resources.
IPOB also raises questions about Gowon’s conduct during the war, including his reliance on foreign diplomatic advice, which they interpret as a betrayal of Nigerian sovereignty. They demand an explanation for the alleged atrocities committed against Biafrans, including starvation policies, mass executions, and the aerial bombardment of civilian populations. The group challenges Gowon, a self-proclaimed “born-again Christian,” to publish his account of the Aburi Accord, arguing that his silence speaks volumes about his unwillingness to confront the truth. They believe his periodic public pronouncements are not genuine attempts at reconciliation but rather calculated attempts to whitewash his role in the conflict.
IPOB’s statement underscores their continued commitment to the pursuit of Biafran self-determination. They call on all Biafrans, both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, to reject Gowon’s narrative and unite in their quest for freedom. They maintain that Nigeria’s unity is a myth, propped up by coercion and exploitation, and reiterate their belief that the diverse cultures and worldviews within Nigeria are incompatible with forced unity. They contend that the current system prioritizes the interests of a select few over the aspirations of the many. They argue that Gowon’s generation failed to lay a foundation for meaningful development or coexistence, and that their actions sowed the seeds of the discord that plagues Nigeria today.
In closing, IPOB reasserts its demand for justice and accountability for the alleged genocide of five million Biafrans. They insist that no amount of political posturing can silence the voices of the victims. They challenge Gowon to demonstrate his commitment to peaceful coexistence through concrete actions, not empty rhetoric. They demand that he confront the truth about his role in the war and acknowledge the immense suffering he inflicted upon the Biafran people. They believe that true reconciliation can only begin with an honest reckoning with the past. IPOB declares that the time for truth, justice, and liberation is now.
