News

No Problem If Power Shifts To South-East In 2023, Says Gowon

Published

4 years ago

January 18, 2020

Editor

A former Head of State , Gen Yakubu Gowon , who led the Nigerian side during the Nigerian Civil War ( 1969 – 1970 ) , has said he does not have any problem if power shifts to the Igbo come 2023.

He premised his views on the condition that as long as doing so would enhance peace.

Gowon spoke in a special interview he granted to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Service in commemoration of the 50 th anniversary of the end of the war on Wednesday .

Our correspondent listened to excerpts of the interview in Abuja, on Friday.

While responding to a question on the agitation by south easterners that the Igbo should produce the nation’ s President in 2023 , he said , “ If doing so will bring peace, it should be done ; if the people so desire . ”

He added , “ There was a time the PDP started rotational presidency , if that was continued maybe the Igbo would have produced a President but that didn ’ t happen. If that can be done now , I don ’ t have a problem with it. Anybody can govern . There are many people in Nigeria , if God gives them and they will govern with the fear of God and love for Nigerians , we will make the desired progress . ”

Earlier , while responding to a question on whether he had regrets leading Nigeria into the civil war , he said he did not regret his action given the circumstance at the time, stressing that it was necessary to keep Nigeria one.

Gowon said , “I want to thank God that we ended the civil war on a peaceful note ; like I said back then , there was no victor, no vanquished. I thank God for the peace we ’ ve enjoyed over the last fifty years since the war ended .

“ The war wasn ’ t what someone wanted . It was fought by those who wanted Nigeria to remain one unlike those on the other side who wanted it to divide , that was what led to the war.

“ Because of that , I will not say I committed a crime by going to war , it was out of our love for the unity of Nigeria , especially after the killing of Nigerian leaders of northern extraction, of our prominent officers from Lieutenant Colonel to General . I was the only one left . Those who want to foment fresh trouble should not do so . ”

(PUNCH)
(Photo Credit: punchng.com)

News

Aid Reveals What Peter Obi Discussed With Atiku, Saraki, Lamido During Visits

Published

3 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

The reason behind the visit of 2023 presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi to top political figures such Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki and Sule Lamido has been revealed.

Obi’s spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko, said the visit was in line with the former Anambra governor’s commitment to the peace and progress of the nation.

DAILY POST reported that Obi in Abuja on Monday visited some top political figures, including former Vice President, and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

“At the center of discussion during each of these visits was the state of the nation and how to reduce the suffering of all Nigerians irrespective of class and location,” Tanko said in the statement.

“In particular, the desperate condition of the downtrodden in our midst was highlighted.

“Of particular interest and emphasis in these discussions was the worrisome situation in the Northern parts of the country.”

News

Gov Fubara Vows To Probe Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 13, 2024

Editor

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Monday announced a plan by his administration to set up a panel to probe previous governments including the immediate past administration of Nyesom Wike.

Governor Fubara who has been in a face-off with Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, disclosed the plan after swearing in Dagogo Iboroma as the Attorney General of the state.

The governor expressed pessimism that the lingering political crisis currently rocking the state cannot be resolved anytime soon.

Apparently referring to Wike, the governor accused his opponents of deliberately sabotaging his administration while he was hopeful that the issue in the state would be resolved amicably.

Governor Fubara vowed to make tough decisions moving forward no matter how they would be perceived by the public.

Fubara also responded to recent comments by former Attorney General Zacchaeus Adangor, SAN, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works Alabo George-Kelly.

According to the governor, the former attorney general alongside other critics of his administration have been sabotaging the progress of his government by filing nolle prosequi against the interest of the state.