Apologise to Igbos: Senator Umeh Challenges Gowon to Write Book on Civil War

Senator Victor Umeh has challenged former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), to publish a truthful account of the Nigerian Civil War and apologise to the Igbo people, accusing him of distorting history and betraying the Aburi Accord.

Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District, made the call while speaking with journalists in Awka, Anambra State, in reaction to Gowon’s recent interview on Arise Television, during which the former military leader blamed the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, for the outbreak of the 30-month conflict.

Gowon also maintained that the war was not targeted at the Igbo people, a position Umeh strongly rejected, describing the former leader’s account as false and capable of reopening old wounds.

The senator urged Gowon to emulate former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, by documenting his version of events surrounding the war, insisting that Nigerians deserved an accurate account of the circumstances that led to the conflict.

According to Umeh, the war, which ended in 1970, left deep scars on the Igbo people, making it necessary for those who played key roles in the conflict to acknowledge their actions and contribute to genuine national reconciliation.

“We will not allow Gowon to lie or twist history. All that he said are false. At 91, I will not want to join issues with him, except, of course, if he is suffering from dementia. He has not done what he should be doing at this late stage of his life,” Umeh said.

He urged Gowon to use his remaining years to tell Nigerians the truth about the war and help heal the pain suffered by victims and their families.

“The war ended 51 years ago and we have moved on, but for him to come back at 91 years of age and begin to lie is unfortunate, and it means that he is not thinking about how to leave Nigeria in peace,” he said.

Umeh also questioned Gowon’s claim that the war was fought to preserve Nigeria’s unity, arguing that persistent violence and divisions across the country raised questions about the extent to which that objective had been achieved.

He further accused the former Head of State of contributing to political tensions and mistrust between the Igbo and Yoruba, alleging that decisions taken during his administration deepened divisions that continue to affect national cohesion.

The senator also accused Gowon of betraying the Aburi Accord reached with Ojukwu before the war, arguing that the failure to honour the agreement contributed to the outbreak of the conflict.

“What happened after Aburi was a complete betrayal, and the attempt now to rewrite history is an insult to the memory of those who died,” he said.

Umeh maintained that the consequences of the war could not be separated from the experiences of the Igbo people. He alleged that Igbo soldiers were targeted, businesses destroyed, and communities subjected to starvation and marginalisation during the conflict.

He also questioned Gowon’s account of events surrounding the January 1966 coup and the subsequent killing of then Head of State, Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.

Umeh challenged Gowon to explain what he knew about the events and the roles played by other military officers. He specifically referenced retired General Theophilus Danjuma, whom he said was still alive and could provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding Ironsi’s arrest and assassination.

The senator urged Gowon to refrain from making statements he considered provocative and instead publish a detailed account of the war for Nigerians to examine and assess.

“If he wants to say the truth, let him go and write his own book, so that when he is no more, his book will be circulated and he will be judged. Ojukwu is no more to join issues with him,” Umeh said.

He added that an honest account of the conflict would help Nigerians understand the causes of the war, acknowledge the suffering of those affected and promote genuine reconciliation.

Umeh insisted that confronting the historical controversies surrounding the Civil War remained necessary for national healing, warning that attempts to present an account that disregarded the suffering of victims could deepen existing grievances.