The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has criticized former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, for his role in Nigeria’s civil war, alleging he supervised the massacre of millions of Igbos.
IPOB founders claim Gowon’s actions during the conflict, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, directly caused the deaths of over three million Biafrans.
They argue that his recent remarks on the war attempt to obscure his responsibility and distort the causes of the conflict.
Gowon, who recently marked his 90th birthday, had stated in an interview that the Southeast’s secession attempt led to the war and justified the military actions he oversaw.
Responding, IPOB’s original founder said, “Without secession, there would have been no war.
It became clear that the Southeast wanted to leave, which led to the conflict.
”The IPOB leader further accused Gowon of evading the truth regarding the Aburi Accord, a peace agreement between Nigeria and Biafra held in Ghana.
He claimed Gowon failed to honor the agreement on regional autonomy, which could have prevented the war.“Gowon said he fell ill after the Aburi meeting and was unprepared because Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Biafran leader, presented a stronger argument for confederation,” the IPOB leader said.
“His refusal to implement the agreement ignited the conflict.”Appealing to Gowon as an elder, the IPOB leader urged him to tell the truth about the war and the atrocities committed.
“At 90 years old, with limited time left, we expect you to reflect honestly and account for the past before meeting your maker,” he concluded.
