In a statement, Onoh described Gowon’s narration as inaccurate, insisting that the former Head of State confused a chance meeting in Enugu with reconciliation.
Dr Josef Onoh, the brother-in-law to the late Biafra leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has refuted claims by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, that the two had reconciled.
Onoh clarified that what Gowon referred to as a reconciliation meeting was, in fact, a condolence visit after the passing of his father, Chief C.C. Onoh, who was also Ojukwu’s father-in-law.
In a statement, Onoh described Gowon’s narration as inaccurate, insisting that the former Head of State confused a chance meeting in Enugu with reconciliation.
Onoh further explained that Gowon’s visit was primarily to pay respects following the passing of Chief C.C. Onoh in May 2009, a funeral Gowon missed because he was out of the country.
According to Onoh, the meeting Gowon claims as reconciliation was a courtesy visit during his condolence tour, adding that Ojukwu and Gowon never reconciled as the former Head of State has portrayed.
The strained relationship between Gowon and Ojukwu stems from their roles during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). Gowon led the Federal Government, while Ojukwu headed the breakaway state of Biafra.
He said, “I was present in the meeting, I served him and he told me he doesn’t take alcoholic drinks and opted for water or orange juice. He brought up the importance of reconciliation and Ojukwu made it clear that he holds no grudge against him and that as soldiers they did what they believed was best at that time for their country and that he (Ojukwu) doesn’t support another Biafra that will be achieved with bloodshed and massacre of the Igbo.
“Gowon left and Ojukwu promised to honour him with a visit and he said he was most likely to be out of the country and Ojukwu replied ‘even during the civil War I knew your every movement and location and since I’ve promised to honour you with a visit as you did me, I’ll find you even if you are in the moon.’
“We all laughed and escorted him out. Ojukwu said a closing prayer in Latin at the amazement of everyone present including Gowon. We admired the two men that their actions shaped Nigeria. Ojukwu was fluent in Hausa, French, Yoruba, English, Latin and Ibo and in every way his image and oratory dominated the moment, hence I understand the reason why Gen. Yakubu Gowon is attempting to change history by giving a wrong narrative of events.
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