Civil War: Obi responds to attacks for congratulating Gowon at 90
In light of the Nigerian Civil War, Obi highlighted that the conflict, which resulted in the loss of millions of lives, remains a somber part of the nation’s history.
Peter Obi, the leader of the Labour Party and former presidential candidate in 2023, has responded to the criticism he received for congratulating former military Head of State General Yakubu Gowon on his 90th birthday.
“My greeting to Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday has been met with mixed reactions,” Obi acknowledged.
He recognized the strong emotions surrounding the issue but expressed his belief that as a leader, he must advocate for reconciliation.
Obi emphasized that the Nigerian Civil War remains a painful chapter in the country’s past, and he called for peace and forgiveness.
He stated, “Forgiveness, not revenge, holds the key to healing.” His gesture of congratulating Gowon at 90 symbolizes this forgiveness and represents a step toward a united Nigeria.
Reflecting on his tenure as the governor of Anambra, Obi recalled the burial of Biafran leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as a crucial moment in the reconciliation process.
He urged Nigerians to let go of “bitterness, rage, and anger” and instead embrace the healing power of forgiveness.
In closing, Obi called for a focus on good governance, asserting that it can only flourish in an environment of peace and justice.
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