Gowon Fears Current Insecurity Brings Nigeria To Another Civil War

General Yakubu Gowon, who led Nigeria through a 30-month civil war, lamented on April 20, 2014, Sunday that the country had fallen into a full-scale civil war with the spate of crises in the northeast.

In an interview to Vanguard, during the events marking the 75th birthday of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Ufot Ekaette, Gen. Gowon said it was imperative for the government to firmly deal with the rising wave of terrorism in the country, so as to keep the country untied.

He noted that the current situation in Nigeria was close to the challenges the 30-month civil war posed to his administration:

Gowon noted that it was necessary for all the Nigerians to cooperate with the FG to ensure that the forces opposed to the continued unity and progress of Nigeria were completely defeated.

Describing the insurgents as enemies of a united Nigeria, Gowon enjoined Nigerians to support the Federal Government with necessary prayers to God to end the cycle of violence being unleashed on the nation by the insurgents.

The former head of state reminded that he stood his ground to ensure that Nigeria remained as one during the civil war, because he believed in the unity of the nation.

Gowon urged the Nigerian leaders at all levels to ensure that they render quality service to their people and also resist the temptation to stay in office beyond the stipulated terms in the constitution.

It would be added that Chief Ekaette served as Gowon’s Private Secretary between 1968 and 1975. The SGF was described by the general as “an embodiment of loyalty, hard work and transparency, who should be emulated by all well meaning Nigerians”.

Source: Legit.ng