By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former military Head of State, Gen.(retd) Yakubu Gowon has disclosed the rationale behind his prosecution of the Nigerian civil war.
Gowon maintained that he prosecuted the internecine war due to the urgency to preserve national unity, stressing that the move was not out of hatred for any people.
The former Head of State spoke after he was honoured with a Life Time Integrity and Achievement Award at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship, Abuja Anglican Diocese on Saturday in Abuja.
He stressed that the war was never his choice, describing it as “the most difficult period of his life”.
Gowon called for forgiveness, reconciliation and unity across faiths and ethnicities.
He said: “I always remember the civil war. It was the most difficult period of my life.
“It was not my choice, but I had to be there, and had to do what I did in order to keep this country together.
“It was never a hatred against any people, I can assure you.”
Reflecting on life after that period, the former Head of State stressed that his decisions had often been guided by prayers and a desire to act with integrity and compassion.
“As far as this heart is concerned, everything that I do, it is through prayers.
“I ask God to help me to do the right thing the way He thinks it should be done, with love and respect for all the people.
“That is why at the end, what do we have to say? As they say: no victor, no vanquished,” he added.
Gowon was at the helm in Nigeria during the civil war which started on July 6, 1967 and ended on January 15, 1970.
