Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that Nigeria must never experience another civil war, saying the country may not survive a repeat of the 1967–1970 conflict.
Obasanjo made the remark on Wednesday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the presentation of a historical documentation on the Asaba Massacre by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, the Isama Ajie of Asaba.
The publication, titled: ‘Asaba Massacre’, consists of a written transcript and an audiovisual documentary compiled from eyewitness testimonies, recorded interviews, archival materials and historical research.
Reflecting on the events of the civil war, Obasanjo, who served as a military commander during the conflict, said he had often refrained from discussing the Asaba Massacre because the area was under the command of the Late General Murtala Muhammed. “I must confess, and you know that I was involved in the civil war. When people talk about the Asaba Massacre, I always confess that I cannot give details of it,” he said.
The former president commended Nduka-Eze for documenting the events, describing the work as an important contribution to preserving Nigeria’s history and ensuring future generations learn from the past. Obasanjo also recalled stopping a soldier from raping a woman during the war, noting that failure to intervene could have attracted Command’’s responsibility.
Warning against renewed conflict, he referenced former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. “We will not survive a second civil war as a country”, he stated. He added: “I believe we have fought one civil war too many already. So, to say that we will have a second civil war, God forbid. Thank you very much for making people know about it; for people to learn about it, and for people to take a vow that it should never happen again. I say to you, never”.
Nduka-Eze also warned that many of the ethnic divisions and mistrust that contributed to the civil war remain unresolved, urging Nigerians to draw lessons from history to prevent a recurrence.
