Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has defended his birthday message to Nigeria’s former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
Obi’s message, which was meant to honor Gowon’s milestone, sparked an uproar among his supporters, particularly those from the southeast, who still harbor strong sentiments about Gowon’s role during the Nigerian Civil War.
Despite the backlash, Obi maintains that his message was rooted in a spirit of forgiveness and national reconciliation, as he seeks to lead Nigeria toward a united and peaceful future.
Peter Obi’s decision to publicly congratulate General Yakubu Gowon on his 90th birthday surprised many, especially among his supporters known as “Obidients.”
Gowon, who was the head of state during Nigeria’s bloody civil war from 1967 to 1970, remains a controversial figure, particularly in the southeastern region of the country.
For many, the scars of the war are still fresh, and the conflict, which claimed the lives of over a million Nigerians, remains one of the darkest periods in the country’s history.
In response to the mixed reactions his congratulatory message received, Obi explained his reasons for acknowledging Gowon’s birthday.
He said he believed it was necessary to show the world that true heroism lies in forgiveness and moving forward, despite past grievances.
Obi acknowledged the painful history of the Nigerian Civil War, referring to it as “the darkest part” of Nigeria’s 64-year journey as a nation.
He described the 30-month conflict as a period that claimed millions of lives and left deep wounds that still affect the country today.
However, he emphasized that God must have had a reason for keeping both General Gowon and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the man who saw the end of the war, alive to witness Nigeria’s ongoing efforts toward reconciliation.
Obi further noted that Nigeria had shown signs of moving beyond its painful past, pointing to the heroic national burial given to Biafra’s leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in 2012.
Obi, who was governor of Anambra State at the time, described Ojukwu’s burial as a bold statement that Nigeria is ready to embrace reconciliation and move forward as one nation.
In his defense, Obi highlighted the importance of forgiveness in healing the wounds of the past.
He acknowledged that many people, particularly those who suffered during the civil war, may not agree with his decision to honor Gowon.
