The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has strongly criticised former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), over his recent claims that the Nigeria-Biafra civil war was not targeted at the Igbo people.
Ohanaeze described the comment as a “blatant misrepresentation of history” and accused Gowon of trying to distort facts about the 1967–1970 civil war that claimed over three million lives, mostly Igbos.
Gowon had earlier stated that the war was not a campaign against Igbos but rather a move to stop secession by rebels who revolted in 1966. In response, Ohanaeze said the claim was both misleading and insensitive.
In a statement on Sunday signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President-General of a faction of Ohanaeze, the group said the former military leader was used by colonial interests and the Fulani political elite to carry out a war driven by economic and political motives, especially to control the oil-rich eastern region.
The group also accused Gowon of failing to protect Igbos living in the North during the 1966 crisis, which triggered mass killings and eventually led to calls for Biafra’s secession.
“The narrative General Gowon is trying to promote must be corrected. The truth is that Igbos were pushed into self-defence after facing mass killings during the Northern riots,” the statement said.
Ohanaeze also challenged Gowon to come clean about why he abandoned the Aburi Accord—a peace agreement that could have prevented the civil war. They insist his decision was influenced by British interests and the Fulani oligarchy who wanted to suppress the Igbo people.
“It is not too late. God has kept General Gowon alive for a reason—to tell the truth and seek forgiveness from the Igbo people,” the group added.
Ohanaeze expressed disappointment that instead of using his old age to promote healing, Gowon was still making statements that insult the memory of innocent victims, including those killed during the Asaba massacre.
The group warned that the consequences of the war still affect Nigeria today, with violence now spreading to other regions like the Middle Belt.
They concluded by urging the former leader to drop his “military pride,” face his conscience, and help the nation heal by openly acknowledging the truth about the Biafran war.
