Politics
Gowon Reflects On Aburi, Blames Ojukwu Misinterpretation
Former Nigerian Head of State General Yakubu Gowon has shed new light on the collapse of the historic Aburi Accord, claiming that his eastern counterpart, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, misrepresented the terms of the agreement in a manner that derailed hopes of national unity and contributed to the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Gowon recounted the tense atmosphere that followed the January 1967 peace talks held in Aburi, Ghana. The talks were convened to ease the political crisis threatening to splinter Nigeria in the aftermath of two coups and growing regional mistrust.
Gowon (the head of state) and Ojukwu (then military governor of the Eastern Region), were key players in the discussions.
Gowon said that while the intent of the Aburi meeting was to return home and finalize the resolutions together, Ojukwu immediately made public pronouncements that, according to him, were not aligned with what was actually agreed upon.
“We just went there, as far as we were concerned, to meet as officers and then agree to get back home and resolve the problem at home. That was my understanding,” Gowon said. “But that was not his (Ojukwu’s) understanding.”
The retired general, who led Nigeria from 1966 to 1975, said he fell seriously ill with fever shortly after returning from Aburi, which prevented him from immediately engaging in follow-up deliberations. During that time, he claimed Ojukwu moved quickly to present a version of the accord that surprised many of his fellow officers.
“I don’t know where he got his version from,” Gowon said, a note of bewilderment in his voice.
At the heart of the disagreement, according to Gowon, was the issue of military control. Ojukwu, he alleged, proposed that regional military zones be placed under the command of regional governors, a structure that would have effectively decentralized control of the armed forces.
“That was one of the major issues,” Gowon explained. “We said that the military would be zoned, but he wanted those zones to be commanded by the governor of each region. Of course, we did not agree with that one.”
Gowon also noted that a follow-up meeting was arranged in Benin City to clarify lingering ambiguities in the agreement. All regional leaders, including Ojukwu, were invited. But the Eastern Region governor declined, citing security concerns.
“We needed to review and agree collectively on the next steps. But he refused to come,” Gowon said.
The Aburi meeting, held from January 4–5, 1967, was one of the last-ditch efforts to preserve Nigeria’s unity in the face of mounting ethnic tensions, military mutinies, and regional secessionist sentiment. Both federal and eastern delegates agreed in principle that regions should have autonomy in managing their affairs, but the specifics, especially regarding the chain of command and national sovereignty, remained contentious.
The failure to implement the accord ultimately paved the way for the declaration of the Republic of Biafra on May 30, 1967, by Ojukwu and the onset of a brutal civil war six weeks later. The conflict, which lasted until January 15, 1970, claimed an estimated one to three million lives, many from starvation in the war-ravaged eastern region.
Though more than five decades have passed since the accord and the war, interpretations of Aburi remain divisive. To some, it symbolized a missed opportunity for a more decentralized, federal Nigeria. To others, it exposed the fault lines and distrust that no agreement, however well-intentioned, could mend.
Ojukwu, the man at the centre of that critical moment in Nigerian history, died in 2011 at the age of 78. His legacy, like that of Aburi, remains both revered and contested.
For Gowon, now in his 80s, the lessons of that era still resonate. “We wanted peace,” he said in the interview. “But peace must come with clarity and shared understanding. That, sadly, is where we fell short.”
Ripplesnigeria.com
Minister Nyesom Wike defends his position amidst calls for removal from office Wike emphasizes that only President Tinubu can decide his fate Former governor boasts of his contributions to Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has dismissed calls for his removal from office. Wike said that such decisions rest solely with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Rivers State governor stressed that the power to sack him lies solely with the President. From breaking news to viral moments. Follow Legit.ng on Instagram. As reported by The Punch, Wike stated this on Sunday, January 11, 2026, during a thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor.
Wike addressed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youths in the area. “Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ If my appointor believes I cannot offer anything again, he has the right, not that you should tell him. I am proud that the people of Obio/Akpor, the people of Rivers State, and Nigerians know we have not disappointed them in the FCT.”
The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Gift Worlu, described Wike as a major asset to the council, the state, and the nation. “When it comes to who should be President of Nigeria in 2027, we know where to go. As for the governorship of Rivers State, we know where not to go. We will not go the way of ingratitude, disappointment, or disloyalty.”
Recall that President Tinubu reportedly intervened in the feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike amidst rising tensions. Tinubu and Wike are set to meet abroad to discuss the ongoing Rivers state crisis and potential impeachment.
Wike’s ally denied involvement in the impeachment plot, claiming Rivers’ lawmakers are driving the actions against Governor Fubara.
Dailyvoice.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu was urged to immediately remove Wike as the minister of the FCT to ensure stability returns to Rivers state. NADECO, a pro-democracy group, made the call, citing the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
Ahead of the 2027 election, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele has predicted that eight APC governors will oppose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Primate Ayodele prophesied that a prominent political figure will defect to the ADC coalition, ‘creating a shocking political shift’
Lagos-based Ayodele is widely known for issuing prophecies on a variety of subjects, including Nigerian and global politics, the economy, security, and sports Oke Afa, Lagos State – Ahead of the 2027 elections, Primate Elijah Ayodele has said that about eight All Progressives Congress (APC) governors will work against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party.
In a statement to Daily voice on Friday, January 9, signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church said the governors may either remain in the APC or defect to an opposition party, but would still work against the president and the ruling party ahead of the election.
Primate Ayodele said:
“I see about eight governors working against APC ahead of 2027. It’s either they stay in the party to work against the party or move to an opposition party.
“President Tinubu will not find it easy in the election. There are so many things around him that look real, but they are not. They will soon start getting uncovered, so he has to prepare. Ayodele Furthermore, Primate Ayodele disclosed that a prominent figure in Nigerian politics will soon defect to the coalition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
His words: “I am seeing a big name decamping to the ADC very soon. It will be a shocker to people and the political scene of the country. It will happen very, very soon.”
Meanwhile, the ADC has maintained that the 2027 elections would be between the citizens and the APC.
The party urged the opposition governors to rise boldly, deliver fresh ideas and lead citizens out of ‘national despair’, stressing that this was what Nigerians expected from them.
Earlier, Daily voice reported that Primate Ayodele denied allegations levelled against him by Bayo Adelabu, minister of power, regarding an alleged blackmail attempt.
A media outlet had reported that Adelabu, a chieftain of the ruling APC and supporter of President Tinubu, accused Primate Ayodele of attempting to extort N150 million from him for “spiritual intercession” to make him governor of Oyo State. However, in a statement sent to Legit.ng, and signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele denied ever attempting to extort the minister, explaining that he had only asked Adelabu to purchase the trumpets.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has revealed that about eight APC governors will work against President Tinubu and the ruling party ahead of 2027.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the prophet stated that the governors may remain in APC or decamp to an opposition party, but regardless, they will work against the president and the ruling party towards the election.
“I see about eight governors working against APC ahead of 2027. It’s either they stay in the party to work against the party or move to an opposition party.”
“President Tinubu will not find it easy in the election; there are so many things around him that look real, but they are not. They will soon start getting uncovered, so he has to prepare.”
Furthermore, Primate Ayodele made it known that a big name in Nigerian politics will decamp to the coalition party, ADC, very soon.
“ I am seeing a big name decamping to the ADC very soon. It will be a shocker to people and the political scene of the country. It will happen very, very soon.”
It would be recalled that the prophet earlier warned that President Donald Trump is working towards unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president of the country. He noted that US actions in helping Nigeria aren’t what it seems to be, but have a hidden agenda.
He had also said that Abubakar Atiku, one of the contenders for the presidential ticket, will be pressured to step down for former president Goodluck Jonathan
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