KINGSLEY EBERE
Ndigbo Media Forum Worldwide has reacted and debunked the claims by the former Nigeria Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, that the cause of the Civil War was the desire of Ndigbo to secede from Nigeria.
The group stated this on the heels of statement credited to Gowon during his 90th birthday celebration and was widely publicized on both the social media and traditional media across the world.
The group described the claim as outright falsehood and deliberate bad motive to twist the history of the cause of the Nigerian Civil War. It regretted that the comments were coming from the man, Gowon, who knew what really happened and because of guilty conscience, moved to pacify Ndigbo with reconciliation offer after the war.
The group stated that it was neccessary to put the record straight as Ndigbo Media Forum Worldwide cannot be watching the story being twisted to achieve cheap blackmail against Ndigbo, who bore the pain of homicide that claimed many lives of Ndigbo.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the National Coordinator of the group, Rev. Paul Eze, explained that the immediate cause of the Nigerian Civil War in 1966 included ethno-religious violence, anti- Igbo pogrom in the Northern Nigeria, a military coup, a counter coup and persecution of Igbos living in Northern Nigeria.
Rev. Eze further explained that the desire to control the lucrative oil production in the Niger Delta also played a strategic role including ethnic conflicts, economic inequality and educational disparities.
The group stated that General Yakubu Gowon masterminded the Nigerian Biafran civil War.
“He was the overseer of the murder of over three million civilian Igbo from 1967 to 1970. Yakubu Gowon reneged on the Aburi Accord. He invaded Biafra land with operation unicorn. He balkanized the Igbo by taking away our oil region. Gowon is the chief architect of the modern Igbophobia.”
The group urged the members of public to disregard the comment of Gowon because it was deliberate misinformation and distortion of the facts that led to Ndigbo being forced to leave Nigeria.
It stated that there was no time Ndigbo wanted to secede because they believed in one Nigeria and had businesses across the States in Nigeria, which attracted hatred and jealousy as they became vulnerable to attacks which led to the Civil War.
“Ironically, the same confederation Government and regional autonomy, which General Ojukwu clamoured for 57 years ago is what the Western Nigeria and others are waking up to today” the group posited.