Charles Okechukwu Okereke, a former contender for the governorship under the Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP) in Abia State, has urged former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, to promptly issue an apology to the Igbo community and Nigerians at large for his recent remarks at the Aso Rock Villa.
According to Okereke, such an apology would assuage the feelings of those who were offended by Gowon’s statement. Recently, the former Head of State was quoted recalling his wartime experiences, including the suggestion for discussions during the conflict.
Speaking to DAILY POST in Umuahia on Wednesday, Okereke advised Gen. Gowon, as an elder statesman, to abstain from making remarks that could resurrect painful memories of past conflicts for the Igbo and other Nigerians. Okereke emphasized the prevailing economic hardships faced by Nigerians, stating that disparaging comments from a figure of Gowon’s stature could provoke further outrage.
He criticized Gowon’s comparison of his military regime with President Bola Tinubu’s civilian administration, attributing ongoing national crises to Gowon’s decision to implement a 12-state structure instead of honoring an agreement with Odumegwu Ojukwu prior to the civil war.
Okereke rejected the validity of Gowon’s “3Rs” (Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation) policy, citing instances such as Gowon’s protected address at Government College after the war, contrasting it with Tinubu’s public engagements. He insisted that such comparisons were unwarranted.
Furthermore, Okereke highlighted ongoing constitutional amendments as evidence of systemic flaws inherited from Gen. Gowon’s era, asserting that Gowon’s remarks implying a lack of understanding among hungry Nigerians were inappropriate.
In conclusion, Okereke asserted that Gen. Gowon’s military administration failed to foster reconciliation among Nigerians, rendering him unfit to advise civilian administrations.