In a recent interview on Arise TV, Labour Party chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo offered a critical examination of General Yakubu Gowon's leadership following the Nigerian Civil War. His analysis focused on the unfulfilled promises made by Gowon regarding reconciliation and reconstruction, particularly in the Southeast, shedding light on the broader implications of leadership accountability in post-conflict settings.
Okonkwo pointed out Gowon's post-war declaration of "no victor, no vanquished," which was accompanied by promises to heal the divisions within Nigeria. However, he expressed disappointment that these commitments were not realized, suggesting that Gowon missed vital opportunities to foster unity and consolidate peace in the nation. The failure to implement these promises has left a lasting impact on Nigeria's socio-political landscape.
He speculated that Gowon's experience of being overthrown might have prompted a reevaluation of historical narratives surrounding the Civil War and its aftermath. He noted that after his own military ousting, Gowon may have recognized the events of 1966 as a military coup rather than an ethnic conflict.
Following his removal from power, Gowon's personal transformation became a focal point of Okonkwo's discussion. The Labour Party chieftain remarked on how Gowon seemed to undergo a spiritual rebirth, suggesting that he embraced theology and sought to atone for his past actions during the Civil War.
In his remarks, "After a while, when he (Gowon) was overthrown, maybe he realised that what happened in 1966 was a military coup and not any ethnic coup, because he was thrown away by the same military people."
(Watch the video from 04:24)
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