Dr. Josef Onoh, the former campaign spokesman for President Bola Tinubu in the Southeast, has criticized the recent statements made by Nigeria’s ex-Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), about the leader of the defunct Republic of Biafra, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Onoh stated that Gowon’s account of their supposed reconciliation in London was not accurate, emphasizing that he was present during their encounters in both Enugu and London. Onoh, who is Ojukwu’s brother-in-law, noted that Gowon had confused a condolence visit with a reconciliation, asserting that Gowon’s new claims would require more falsehoods to support his biased narrative.
“Gowon’s version of his meeting with Ojukwu is false! It didn’t happen that way, and I was there to witness it. It wasn’t in London; it took place in Enugu in March 2010, and I was the one who received him,”
Gowon said.
He explained that part of the reason for Gowon’s visit was to offer condolences for the death of Onoh’s father, who was also Ojukwu’s father-in-law and had passed away in May 2009. Gowon had not been in the country for the burial.
Onoh recalled that he was present during the meeting, where he served Gowon. Gowon mentioned that he did not drink alcohol and preferred water or orange juice. He brought up the significance of reconciliation, to which Ojukwu responded that he bore no resentment against him and that, as soldiers, they had acted in what they believed was best for their country at the time. Ojukwu further stated that he did not support a new Biafra that would be achieved through violence and the killing of Igbo people.
When Gowon left, Ojukwu promised to visit him in return. Gowon mentioned that he might be out of the country, but Ojukwu replied, “Even during the civil war, I knew your every move and location. Since I’ve promised to visit you as you did me, I’ll find you even if you are on the moon,” Onoh recounted.
