As the book, There was a Nigeria, a yet-to-be-released literary work of ace writer, Chinua Achebe continues to raise dust; millions of Nigerians have waded into the matter. While some are condemning the work of art, others are equally giving kudos to the literary doyen for the book, which reportedly accused the late Obafemi Awolowo of the brain behind the pogrom and genocide against the Igbos in 1967-1970.
Registering his comment on the issue, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) told Vanguard that he has no regret for the civil war which claimed the lives of many Nigerians, adding that Awolowo was not the cause of the secession and he should not be brought into the controversy
Speaking on Professor Achebe’s latest book, the ex warlord said:“Let me read it first. I’m not in the country now.
Let him check himself and of course on our part, we know that, that was not what we were. That was how we were portrayed but, on our part, we know that was not what we were in our actions and all that.
“But would you please go and ask historians about the beginning of the war rather than for you to ask me to comment about whether Awolowo and I actually had hands in what he is talking about? Go and find out from historians?
Gowon added that: “The historians will tell you the correct story. I am not in Nigeria presently and honestly this is a question that I have had to answer several times. You would have asked them if there was a controversy or whoever did what. Let them do their own interpretation of what happened.”
Asking if the late Awolowo actually fingered the 3-year civil, Gowon who is currently in the shores of England affirmed: “If there was no secession, we wouldn’t have the civil war. Awolowo was not the cause of the secession. Why then are they bringing him into this controversy?
“If there was no secession, there wouldn’t have been the war that we had, which was a very unfortunate situation in the life of Nigeria. That is the answer that I would give to you about this.”
“You can be rest assured that as far as we are concerned, we did everything that was possible. And we have no cause to regret what we did.
“So, I think whoever is saying what I am now hearing that they are saying, the question is; why are they saying what they are saying now? For what reason are they saying it at this time? He wondered
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