By Obinna Ejianya (9News Nigeria – Melbourne, Australia)
Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, recently faced intense criticism after offering a glowing tribute to General Yakubu Gowon on his 90th birthday. For many, Gowon’s legacy as the military leader during Nigeria’s Civil War (1967-1970) still stirs deep emotions, particularly among the Igbo community, which bore the brunt of the war. In the face of this criticism, Obi’s message to Gowon wasn’t just a gesture of respect for an elder statesman—it was a bold statement advocating for forgiveness, healing, and national reconciliation.
The most contentious part of Obi’s tribute was when he described Gowon as someone who, “In a time of hate, you stood for love. At a time of strife, you stood for peace. At a time of division, you stood for unity.” This language, while characteristic of the reverence often expressed in birthday tributes, ignited backlash, especially among his supporters known as the Obidients. Many felt that Obi’s words ignored the painful history of the war, where millions of Igbos lost their lives due to starvation and conflict. Some accused Obi of seeking political favor in a manner that betrayed the sacrifices of his ethnic group
Yet, Peter Obi’s response to this criticism revealed a deeper philosophy rooted in forgiveness. As he explained on social media, his tribute was not an endorsement of the war or a dismissal of the suffering that occurred, but rather an attempt to foster national healing. Obi stated that holding onto hatred only perpetuates division, and that Nigeria’s future requires moving beyond the bitterness of the past. “It’s hate that has put our society… down, but this hate has to stop,” he said, emphasizing that forgiveness is essential for the country’s progress
Obi’s approach draws from his personal history. He was a child during the Nigerian Civil War and, like many others, grew up in a country divided along ethnic and regional lines. However, as a politician, he has often positioned himself as a unifier, someone whose primary goal is to create a “New Nigeria” where ethnic and religious differences no longer dictate political outcomes. His tribute to Gowon, then, can be seen as part of this larger vision—a symbolic act of bridging the gaps between Nigeria’s divided past and its potential for a united future.
Critics of Obi’s tribute have argued that his praise for Gowon disregarded the pain of those who lived through the horrors of the war, especially those from the Eastern region. They questioned whether such a public display of admiration was appropriate for a man whose administration oversaw one of the most devastating conflicts in Nigerian history. Some labeled Obi as “desperate” for political acceptance, suggesting that his tribute was an attempt to win favor from Northern Nigerians who might still revere Gowon’s role in preserving the country’s unity
However, in defending his tribute, Obi invoked the memory of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. In the news, Peter Obi reminded his critics that Ojukwu himself, barely 13 years after the war, ran for a Senate seat in 1983 under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and campaigned alongside Northern politicians. Obi noted that Ojukwu’s participation in national politics and his eventual state burial in 2012 were clear signs that reconciliation, though difficult, was possible
Obi’s argument highlights the broader challenge of forgiveness in post-conflict societies. As he pointed out, personal experiences of trauma often fuel long-lasting anger and resentment. However, history shows that nations that embrace forgiveness and reconciliation are often better equipped to move forward. By sending his tribute to Gowon, Obi underscored the power of forgiveness as a tool for healing both personal and national wounds.
While it is understandable that some of Obi’s supporters feel betrayed by his tribute, it’s crucial to consider the broader message he is trying to convey. Nigeria is a country that has, for decades, struggled with ethnic, religious, and regional tensions. These divisions have, at times, boiled over into violence, as seen in the Civil War and subsequent crises. Obi’s gesture was not about absolving Gowon of responsibility for the war but about promoting a path forward—a Nigeria where the mistakes of the past are acknowledged but not allowed to dictate the future.
In this sense, Peter Obi’s tribute to Gowon is a bold act of leadership. It reflects his belief that Nigeria can only thrive as a united nation, where forgiveness, no matter how difficult, is seen as an essential step toward progress. It is a call for his supporters, and all Nigerians, to embrace the healing power of reconciliation, even in the face of historic wounds.
This act of forgiveness does not erase the painful legacy of the Civil War, but it offers a new perspective on how Nigeria can build a future where such tragedies do not repeat themselves. Obi’s tribute to Gowon, despite the backlash, stands as a powerful reminder that true leadership often requires making difficult choices and standing for principles that, in the long run, can foster national healing and unity
By Obinna Ejianya (9News Nigeria – Melbourne, Australia)
