The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) stands as one of the most devastating and consequential events in the history of modern Africa. It was a conflict that reshaped Nigeria’s socio-political landscape, leaving scars that persist to this day. While many historians and commentators have offered varying perspectives on the causes of the war, there remains an uncomfortable truth, one that Nigeria has yet to fully confront: the role of General Yakubu Gowon in steering the nation towards an avoidable war and the devastating consequences his policies inflicted on the Igbo people.
To date, Gowon has neither acknowledged nor taken responsibility for the decisions that plunged Nigeria into a vortex of bloodshed, economic sabotage, and ethnic persecution. The war was not simply a battle of territorial integrity; it was an orchestrated campaign that stripped the Igbo people of their political standing, economic power, and sense of belonging in the Nigerian state.
The 1966 Coup, the False 'Igbo Coup' Narrative, and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s Revelations
A pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history was the January 15, 1966, coup, a military intervention led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu and other young officers who sought to rid the country of corrupt civilian politicians. Though its architects came from diverse ethnic backgrounds, a dangerous propaganda narrative quickly emerged, labeling it an “Igbo coup.” This mischaracterization ignored key facts: the coup was not ethnically motivated, Igbo officers were not the sole planners, and notable Igbo political leaders such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe were neither involved nor benefited from it. Moreover, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, an Igbo officer, ultimately crushed the coup and assumed power, not as a conspirator, but as a stabilizer.
However, the countercoup of July 29, 1966, carried out by Northern officers, altered the state of national unity. The violent overthrow of Ironsi and the massacre of Igbo military officers solidified the perception that the North sought retribution rather than justice. In the months that followed, thousands of Igbo civilians were slaughtered in the North in what can only be described as pre-genocidal pogroms. General Gowon, who emerged as Head of State following the coup, failed to curb the ethnic violence and instead allowed Nigeria to descend into an era of unchecked ethnic antagonism.
In light of this, former military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in his recently published book, has provided long-suppressed truths and insights into the events surrounding the 1966 coup and the civil war. His revelations dismantle decades-old falsehoods that demonized the Igbo people and perpetuated a narrative of ethnic dominance. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who ruled Nigeria as a self-styled military head of state from 1985 to 1993, is known for his controversial policies, economic reforms, and political manoeuvrings. His regime saw the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), the 1993 presidential election annulment, and various military and economic interventions that shaped Nigeria’s trajectory. Despite his mixed legacy, Babangida's courage in addressing these historical distortions should be commended, as it has brought forth a long-overdue acknowledgment of the injustices suffered by the Igbo nation. His willingness to expose these truths serves as a form of liberation for the Igbo man, correcting the falsehoods that have fueled their marginalization.
Gowon's Ascent to Power and the Betrayal of the Aburi Accord
One of the most significant failures of Gowon’s leadership was his inability to honor the Aburi Accord, an agreement reached in Ghana in January 1967 to prevent a full-scale war. The accord was a diplomatic compromise, calling for regional autonomy and a restructuring of Nigeria’s governance to reflect true federalism. While Gowon and his delegation agreed to these terms during negotiations, he infamously reneged upon returning to Nigeria, opting instead to create 12 new states, effectively fragmenting the Eastern Region and undermining Igbo political strength. This act of betrayal left the Igbo leadership, under Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, with no choice but to declare Biafra’s independence on May 30, 1967.
Gowon’s actions at this crucial juncture were not those of a leader seeking unity; rather, they were the maneuvers of a man guided by sectional interests and Northern oligarchic control. His refusal to implement the Aburi Accord directly precipitated the war that followed.
The Civil War and the Calculated Starvation of Biafrans
Perhaps the most inhumane aspect of the Nigerian Civil War was the deliberate starvation of the Biafran population. The Gowon-led administration imposed an economic blockade on Biafra, cutting off food, medical supplies, and essential goods. This brutal war tactic resulted in the deaths of over one million children and civilians from malnutrition and disease, an atrocity that horrified the international community. While some historians have argued that starvation was merely an unfortunate consequence of war, others, including foreign observers, have documented how it was intentionally weaponized to force Biafra into submission.
British journalist Frederick Forsyth, in his book The Biafra Story, details how international aid agencies were repeatedly blocked from delivering relief materials to Biafra. The images of skeletal children with distended bellies and hollowed-out eyes became the defining symbol of the conflict, a haunting testament to the extent of suffering inflicted upon an entire population.
The Post-War Economic Sabotage of the Igbo People
Despite Gowon’s post-war declaration of a “No Victor, No Vanquished” policy, his administration enacted punitive economic measures that further marginalized the Igbo people. One of the most egregious policies was the infamous £20 ceiling, which allowed all Igbos, regardless of their pre-war financial holdings, to reclaim only £20 from their bank accounts. This was a calculated economic assault that left Igbo entrepreneurs, businessmen, and families destitute. Wealth that had been painstakingly built over decades was wiped out overnight.
Furthermore, the federal government systematically excluded the Igbo-dominated Southeast from key infrastructural and industrial development projects. Federal roads, seaports, and government investments were disproportionately allocated to other regions, leaving the Igbo heartland underdeveloped and economically disadvantaged. This deliberate marginalization persists today, as evidenced by the Southeast’s continued exclusion from major federal projects and its limited representation in key national positions.
A Path Forward: Political and Economic Remedies for Igbo Inclusion
To move forward as a nation, Nigeria must confront its past with honesty and take deliberate steps toward reconciliation.
1. Historical Truth in Education:
The revelations from Babangida’s book should be incorporated into Nigeria’s secondary and tertiary education curricula, ensuring that future generations learn the true history of the civil war and the injustices inflicted upon the Igbo people.
2. Official Apology and Historical Reckoning:
The Nigerian government must formally acknowledge the atrocities committed against the Igbo people, including the pogroms, the war crimes, and the post-war economic sabotage.
3. Economic Rehabilitation:
The Southeast must receive targeted federal investments in infrastructure, industry, and education.
4. Political Inclusion and Equity: There must be deliberate efforts to ensure that the Igbo people are fairly represented in Nigeria’s leadership structure.
5. Regional Autonomy and Restructuring:
A decentralized federal system that empowers regions economically and politically will foster stability and prevent future conflicts.
Conclusion
General Yakubu Gowon’s refusal to acknowledge his role in Nigeria’s darkest chapter is a stain on the country’s conscience. However, history is finally catching up, thanks to General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s bold revelations. His book sheds new light on the hidden truths of the Nigerian Civil War and should catalyze national reflection. By incorporating these truths into our educational system, offering economic restitution, and ensuring fair political representation for the Igbo people, Nigeria can begin the long-overdue journey toward justice, unity, and sustainable peace. Babangida deserves commendation for his role in setting history straight, an act that has, in many ways, freed the Igbo man from decades of false narratives and systemic alienation.
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