Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), has expressed his desire to be remembered as a leader who deeply loved Nigeria and its people.
Speaking in a recent interview with Arise TV, the 90-year-old elder statesman reflected on his time in office and the key moment in the nation’s history, particularly the Nigerian Civil War, which broke out in July 1967 and lasted for 30 months.
Gowon, who ruled Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, revealed that the conflict might have been averted if consensus had been reached during the Aburi summit held in Ghana in January 1967.
He explained that the deadlock between him and the then-Eastern regional leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, stemmed from a disagreement over the structure of governance.
According to him, Ojukwu advocated for a level of regional autonomy that the federal government could not accommodate at the time.
“It was that major difference that eventually led to the war,” Gowon stated.
When asked how he would like future generations to remember him, Gowon said his legacy should reflect his enduring love for Nigeria and his continued prayers for the nation.
“I want to be remembered as someone who loves his country, Nigeria, who loves Nigerians, who prays, at least if I cannot fight, I pray for Nigeria to continue to be a country that all of us love,” he said. “I know it is impossible for any country to be absolutely perfect.”
