Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, (rtd) has reiterated that his decision to lead Nigeria into the civil war was not a crime, but an act driven by the desire to preserve the country’s unity.
In a recent interview in Abuja, Gowon reflected on the Nigerian Civil War and its enduring impact more than 50 years after its end. He described the conflict as a painful but necessary step to prevent national disintegration. “I will not say I committed a crime by going into war; it was out of our love for the unity of Nigeria”, he stated.
Gowon, who led Nigeria through the war from 1967 to 1970, said the actions taken by his government at the time were guided by a commitment to the country’s future stability. While acknowledging the suffering and loss caused by the war, he maintained that the objective was never destruction, but preservation.
He expressed gratitude for the peace that has followed the war and urged Nigerians to continue fostering unity, mutual respect, and national development.
Looking ahead, Gowon expressed hope that the sacrifices made during the conflict would not be in vain, and that the country would remain on a path of unity and progress.
