Yakubu Gowon clarifies his civil war decisions in memoir, aiming for understanding, not division

Former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon says his newly published autobiography was written to explain the decisions and policies of his administration during the Nigerian Civil War, stressing that the book is intended to provide historical clarity rather than reopen old wounds.

The 881-page memoir will be formally presented on May 19, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. Bola Tinubu is expected to attend as a special guest of honour, while former Defence Minister and ex-Chief of Army Staff, Theophilus Danjuma, will unveil the book.

According to Gowon, many accounts of the 1967–1970 civil war have been told from different perspectives over the years, but few have fully reflected his own reasoning as Nigeria’s leader during one of the country’s most defining periods.

“By choosing to write, I took a conscious decision not to reopen old wounds but to clarify my thinking on policies and plans at a period often narrated by others,” he said.

Gowon described his story as one shaped by conviction and the difficult realities of leadership at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history.

The memoir is expected to offer his reflections on the 30-month conflict that followed the attempted secession of the Eastern Region as the Republic of Biafra, a war that displaced millions and claimed countless lives.

Gowon, who became Nigeria’s leader in 1966 at the age of 31, is widely remembered for introducing the post-war “No Victor, No Vanquished” policy, which sought to promote reconciliation and national unity after the conflict.

Beyond his years in office, the former military leader has built a reputation as a statesman dedicated to peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue and humanitarian work through the Yakubu Gowon Centre and the “Nigeria Prays” initiative.

Lanre Adesuyi, chief executive of Havilah Group, described the autobiography as a major contribution to preserving Nigeria’s history and enriching national discourse.

Wike-Backed PDP Denies Alliance with APC, Vows to Unseat Ruling Party in 2027

Please follow and like us:

100k