Achebe on Awo: Igbo, Yoruba leaders in ‘verbal warfare’

Controversy surrounding the new book written by Prof. Chinua Achebe deepened yesterday with South West and South East leaders drawing sharp divisions over the aptness of claims in the book that Chief Obafemi Awolowo implemented genocidal policies against Ibos during the Biafran war.

While Odua Peoples Congress, OPC founder Dr. Fredrick Fasheun accused Achebe of living in the past, a number of South West leaders berated Achebe as a frustrated man bent on pouring out his bitterness against a nationalist.

The denunciations against Achebe were, however, sharply rebutted by a number of South East leaders, including the commander of the army of the Biafran Republic, Gen. Alex Madiebo (rtd.,) who said Achebe understated the hostility of Awolowo to the Ibo nation during the civil war.



While erstwhile governor of Enugu State and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo said Achebe’s assertions were correct, another former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju expressed concern that the acrimony could jeopardise on-going efforts to unify the people of the South.

In his new book, “There was a Country” Achebe alleged among others that Awolowo’s desperation for power “drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. In the Biafran case it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation, eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.”

The claim has been met with sharp denunciations by Awoists and Yoruba leaders.

Achebe living in the past — Fashehun

Continuing the rebuttal Dr. Fasheun yesterday said: “Chinua Achebe is a frustrated person. He feels that attacking noble people like Awolowo is right. Awolowo has a reputable place in Nigeria’s history. The trio of Awolowo, Sardauna and Zik were leaders who did well for this country, hence their quality legacies should not be smeared in anyway. Achebe is living in the past.”
“Ibos no longer care about such lamentation, what the Ibos are interested in is how they can be more relevant in the mainstream of Nigerian politics. So, Achebe’s attack on Awolowo is not in the best interest of the political aspirations of the Ibos in today’s Nigeria. What he has done is to distort history.”

Achebe, not happy that a Yorubaman emerged Nobel prize winner — Afuye

Also reacting, an avowed Awoist who is also the Commissioner for Information in Ekiti State, Mr Funminiyi Afuye said that as an Awoist he detested the insinuations by Achebe on Chief Awolowo in his book

He said: “With due respect to the erudite professor it appears Achebe has not been able to come out from a deep frustration of the fact that a Yorubaman emerged as the first winner of the highest literary award, Nobel Prize in literature.

“It was on record that Awolowo checkmated Ojukwu from invading Yorubaland in his expansionist ambition when he was matching his troops to Lagos. He met his waterloo at the battle of Ore.”

The attacks nonetheless, support for Achebe came from the South East with Gen. Madiebo, Chief of Staff, Biafran Army, who claimed that the assertions made against Awolowo were understated.

Achebe has only said the truth— Gen. Madiebo

“What Chinua Achebe has written in his new book concerning the role the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo played during the civil war is the truth. However, the truth is always bitter. In fact, Achebe was even diplomatic. If I am to write on the same subject I would say more than Achebe did.

“Those who are attacking Achebe over what he wrote are expressing their own views; I am neither condemning them nor am I praising them.”

In his comments on the controversy, one time Governor of Enugu State and former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo expressed a similar view.

He said: “What Achebe wrote in his new book is a fact. Those who witnessed what happened during the civil war can attest to the historical fact that Achebe recorded in his book. As the Minister of Finance and Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council under the military regime headed by Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), Awolowo implemented those policies during the Nigeria civil war and immediately after.

What Achebe wrote was a fact—Nwodo

“Despite the fact that I had a lot of respect for him as one of the nation’s foremost nationalists who fought for Nigeria’s independence, we cannot forget that those policies were injurious to the Igbos. Those policies were a violation of the fundamental human rights of our people.”

“My response to those who have attacked Achebe for stating the truth is that any country that cannot look at its history and learn lessons from it cannot survive. ”The people of every nation have to learn from their history in order to avoid mistakes of the past. It is because Nigerians have refused to learn from history that we find ourselves where we are today in this country.”

Go to court if you don’t like what Achebe wrote –Mbadinuju

In his comments, former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju said: “Nobody can question or doubt the credentials and scholarship of Chinua Achebe, especially when it comes to his special area of political literature. He has been adjudged as number one in the world. It seems to me that what Achebe did amounted to an exercise of his constitutional right of freedom of expression which cannot be abridged but can only be subjected to libel or defamation of character, which is actionable in court.”

He continued: “ Anybody who doesn’t like what Achebe has written could go to court and file an action against Achebe for libel”. Mbadinuju further expressed hope that the on-going debate would not hamper the new spirit of cooperation prevailing in the south.

According to him: ”The three southern geo-political zones of South-East, South-West and South-South have just resolved to come into a new political alignment for the future. And it is now that the devil is creeping in to dislodge the political programme of the South. The implication is that our friends and brothers in the South-West may now begin to develop cold feet and go into opposition again just because of one book by Chinua Achebe. Since I wouldn’t want anything that would jeopardize this new spirit of cooperation in the South, I pray to God that all groups or persons who feel aggrieved by Achebe’s new book should have a change of heart to avert this brewing misunderstanding in order to enable Nigeria move forward. This is necessary in order to prevent another rift that may snowball into a fresh round of crisis of confidence.”

Ezeife calls for caution

Another former Governor of Anambra State Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife on his part chose to be very cautious.

He said: “Although, we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, this does not mean that historical facts cease from being facts or must not be mentioned. Facts are facts but their emotional or subjective interpretation may depend on the perspective of the user. I hope the Igbo and Yoruba are not anxious to go back into their situation of parallel lines and parallel slaves in Nigerian politics. Awolowo didn’t join the war against Nigeria, but he didn’t start the war against the Eastern region. He eventually joined Gowon.”

In his reaction, Dr. Sam Nkire, National Chairman Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, said though he had put all that happened behind him during those dark days behind the policies exhibited wickedness.

He said: “Although, I was a teenager during and after the civil war, I was old enough to father a child. Those Federal Government policies against Biafrans which were ascribed to Chief Awolowo at that time came to be as uncharitable and wicked. However, 42 years after the war, my attitude now is to consign all that to history.”

“I recommend the book to every patriotic Nigerian and not just students of history. Achebe must not be crucified for saying the truth.”
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/achebe-on-awo-igbo-yoruba-leaders-in-verbal-warfare/

[quote][/quote]

Is this the end of Nigeria?

R.I.P Nigeria.

Oct. 1 1960 - 2013.

The truth is bitter and Achebe will keep on saying the truth.
Awolowo wanted a genocide on Igbo race.
There is no difference between Awolowo and Hittler.

BTW, i love the title of that book "There Was A Country" i think is a great caption.
Achebe is a genius!

Awolowo for life

Anybody who hates him can go hug a transformer

cant wait to read this book

I think most ibos are just really born to ascribe to themselves empty boastfulness, arrogant pride, irritating stupidity or just a disconnect with reality? Who cursed them with all the traits that makes every other Nigerian and some of the more reasonable ibos dislike them so much? How can this Mbadinju say: "...He has been adjudged as number one in the world....” When or who adjudged Achebe any position in the world? From when to when was this rankings in effect? What exactly is the number one position?? This is why ibos are hated and watch as they will come here to defend this falsity of a claim like that of Achebe.

One more thing: was Chief Awolowo supposed to help biafra, the enemy of Nigeria to win while he is one of the top leaders of the country? Funny thing is if he had, ibos today will call him a saboteur! LOL. Iboz still have no clue what war is like and nations that fought so many wars and grew to come to learn the acts of diplomacy, liberalism, political sophistication right there in Nigeria are funnily derided. These are people who fought for over 500 years but ibos fought their first war in a mere < 3 years, they are crying, isn't that really funny??

But why this time?

I have this feeling that Achebe no longer see himself as a Nigerian but American and therefore has little or no interest in the bridge building process presently going on and peace in Nigeria.

Nigerians irrespective of where they are from should be cautious in allowing some of these bitter people in diaspora to keep causing dissaffection in the country...some of them feel no sense of stake in peace in Nigeria.

The rebuttals of the so-called yoruba leaders to Achebe,is laughable.
They were just rambling about nobel prize, instead of adressing the issue.
Blind leaders leading the foolish.

solomon111: The rebuttals of the so-called yoruba leaders to Achebe,is laughable.
They were just rambling about nobel prize, instead of adressing the issue.
Blind leaders leading the foolish.

+10000000000000000
everything has always been a comedy in yorobberland.

Achebe, not happy that a Yorubaman emerged Nobel prize winner — Afuye

Also reacting, an avowed Awoist who is also the Commissioner for Information in Ekiti State, Mr Funminiyi Afuye said that as an Awoist he detested the insinuations by Achebe on Chief Awolowo in his book

He said: “With due respect to the erudite professor it appears Achebe has not been able to come out from a deep frustration of the fact that a Yorubaman emerged as the first winner of the highest literary award, Nobel Prize in literature.

I can't believe that a human being said this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZeELnOiHAw&feature=related
This is the story, watch and judge by yourself for all those ranting rubbish.

ilugunboy: But why this time?

I have this feeling that Achebe no longer see himself as a Nigerian but American and therefore has little or no interest in the bridge building process presently going on and peace in Nigeria.

Nigerians irrespective of where they are from should be cautious in allowing some of these bitter people in diaspora to keep causing dissaffection in the country...some of them feel no sense of stake in peace in Nigeria.

Is there any special time reserved to say the truth? I don't get what some of our brethren from SW are arguing about. How can you build bridges without addressing deep rooted issues. Guy, I rather the truth, than some silly bridge!

ekt_bear: Awolowo for life

Anybody who hates him can go hug a transformer

Awolowo 4 grave. sorry 4 u, he never was a nigerian leader despite his wicked adolf hitler actions and policies

afam4eva:
I can't believe that a human being said this...

Stupid man. what has his statement of fact got to do with nobel prize!
Stop two edged sword tribe

PointB:


Is there any special time reserved to say the truth? I don't get what some of our brethren from SW are arguing about. How can you build bridges without addressing deep rooted issues. Guy, I rather the truth, than some silly bridge!

Ok...now that you have the "truth" what next....increase your hatred for every Yinka..Bayo..Tunde...Yemisi...Tope...Wunmi that you come across?

Well Good luck!

CyberG:
One more thing: was Chief Awolowo supposed to help biafra, the enemy of Nigeria to win while he is one of the top leaders of the country? Funny thing is if he had, ibos today will call him a saboteur! LOL. Iboz still have no clue what war is like and nations that fought so many wars and grew to come to learn the acts of diplomacy, liberalism, political sophistication right there in Nigeria are funnily derided. These are people who fought for over 500 years but ibos fought their first war in a mere < 3 years, they are crying, isn't that really funny??

No Awolowo was not supposed to help Biafra. So why are you angry that his plan to exterminate Igbos is now been confirmd by one who shoud know? He tried to kill Igbos, which is what people do in a war, why are people calling Achebe names because he said the truth?

afam4eva:
I can't believe that a human being said this...

Yes he did! And damn right too. Achebe has always harbored a deep seated anger for the fact that the Nobel for literature went
to Soyinka. 26 yrs plus, the old fool is still waiting for the same prize.

reporter?:


Yes he did! And damn right too. Achebe has always harbored a deep seated anger for the fact that the Nobel for literature went
to Soyinka. 26 yrs plus, the old fool is still waiting for the same prize.

This is garbage. Achebe is a much accomplished person, all round, than Soyinka. You need to check out Achebe's children versus Soyinka's. Noble price was given how many donkey years ago. Who the frigging hell is Sonyinka, everything taken together, compared to Achebe?

reporter?:


Yes he did! And damn right too. Achebe has always harbored a deep seated anger for the fact that the Nobel for literature went
to Soyinka. 26 yrs plus, the old fool is still waiting for the same prize.

your great grand father is a fool,you slowpoke.
The fact that soyinka won a Noble prize is nothing extraordinary,so stop talking like a cretin.
Achebe still has more influence,than soyinka will ever have.

mekuslogan:

This is garbage. Achebe is a much accomplished person, all round, than Soyinka. You need to check out Achebe's children versus Soyinka's. Noble price was given how many donkey years ago. Who the frigging hell is Sonyinka, everything taken together, compared to Achebe?

Dude, I have no time for Soyinka vs Achebe thingy you want to inject this mata. Nobel has spoken for me 26 years ago
and will for ever continue to do so.

For now, Achebe crippled a-ss is on fire for starting poo same way the p-edophi-le Ojukwu started what he couldn't finish in '67

reporter?:



Dude, I have no time for Soyinka vs Achebe thingy you want to inject this mata. Nobel has spoken for me 26 years ago
and will for ever continue to do so.

For now, Achebe crippled a-ss is on fire for starting poo same way the pedophile Ojukwu starred what he couldn't finish in '67

Achebe may be on fire in Yorubaland, in Igboland he is hailed or stating the truth that Awo initiated a policy to starve the IGBO in order to advance himself politically. Dude, it is okay to kill your enemy in a war. But it is not okay to prevent them from saying you tried to kill them.

BTW, Soyinka lineage is done. He has no responsible family that anyone knows. Please google Achebe's children and come back for more discussion.

ilugunboy:

Ok...now that you have the "truth" what next....increase your hatred for every Yinka..Bayo..Tunde...Yemisi...Tope...Wunmi that you come across?

Well Good luck!

And how does increase in hatred work for me or any Igbo.

This simple thing is that truth must come to light. That's fair enough. Whatever Nigeria(ns) decide to do with the truth is secondary. But truth must be confronted, the idea of sweeping such under the carpet is what many frown against.

Beside Awolowo himself has admitted using the tactics stated in Achebe's memoir, so I dont know why most Yorubas are frothing in the mouth, It's not as if Igbos are going to start a war in yorubaland because of Achebe's memoir, neither can you pay reparation should we ask for it. Nigeria cannot afford it, simple. So you guys should just accept the truth and let's move on. Stop pretending.

CyberG: I think most ibos are just really born to ascribe to themselves empty boastfulness, arrogant pride, irritating stupidity or just a disconnect with reality? Who cursed them with all the traits that makes every other Nigerian and some of the more reasonable ibos dislike them so much? How can this Mbadinju say: "...He has been adjudged as number one in the world....” When or who adjudged Achebe any position in the world? From when to when was this rankings in effect? What exactly is the number one position?? This is why ibos are hated and watch as they will come here to defend this falsity of a claim like that of Achebe.

One more thing: was Chief Awolowo supposed to help biafra, the enemy of Nigeria to win while he is one of the top leaders of the country? Funny thing is if he had, ibos today will call him a saboteur! LOL. Iboz still have no clue what war is like and nations that fought so many wars and grew to come to learn the acts of diplomacy, liberalism, political sophistication right there in Nigeria are funnily derided. These are people who fought for over 500 years but ibos fought their first war in a mere < 3 years, they are crying, isn't that really funny??

very funny!!!.........

ilugunboy: But why this time?

I have this feeling that Achebe no longer see himself as a Nigerian but American and therefore has little or no interest in the bridge building process presently going on and peace in Nigeria.

Nigerians irrespective of where they are from should be cautious in allowing some of these bitter people in diaspora to keep causing dissaffection in the country...some of them feel no sense of stake in peace in Nigeria.

me think thats why the guy has refused National honors for 2 different times..........i thought it was his patriotism cuz of the unhealthy situation of this country................

My question is Why now,that the southerners are tryn to bridge Gaps between one another..........


Some folks really hate peace and can't really sacrifice there ''Bitterness'' for the development of the ''Larger Society''

donroxy:


me think thats why the guy has refused National honors for 2 different times..........i thought it was his patriotism cuz of the unhealthy situation of this country................

My question is Why now,that the southerners are tryn to bridge Gaps between one another..........


Some folks really hate peace and can't really sacrifice there ''Bitterness'' for the development of the ''Larger Society''

How long does it take to build bridge? 40 years after the war, you are still 'trying' to build bridge. A bridge build on the foundation of falsehood cannot last. You should thank Achebe for expressing the truth. So, add this issue to the items to be navigated in the bridge building. Nothing is sacrosanct.

We can only mend fences when all grievance are laid bare.

Always crying and whining! Damn!

Awolowo heartless man, so wicked- 2 million Igbos's gone.

My take on this is; no matter how long it takes, the truth will always prevail.

Awolowo and Soyinka are both heartless men.

Awolowo: suggested to the federal government that killing innocent people by starvation is a wonderful strategy. The blood of two million easterners will forever hunt him and his generations.

Soyinka: the founder of campus cults. He formed the pyrates confratenity, an so far, the lives of hundreds of thousands Nigerian students have been terminated as a result of the evil he brought into our society.

Its no news that although he (Soyinka) founded campus cults, he has refused to address the issue; despite the inhuman way thousands have lost their lives.

This brings me to a conclusion that the so called highly respected yoruba leaders are nothing but blood sucking demons.

You all should remove the planks in your eyes before accusing ojukwu of cowardice.

Losers...!!! blaming a dead man without gun and arms for their defeat...

In one breath ..they will attribute their loss to foreign powers..in another they will heap the entire blame on Pa Awo.

Ibos....still confused as ever!

For all those fools saying Achebe is nursing a big seathed dissapointment of not winning the nobel prize for literature, Hear this

Nobel prize needs Achebe and not, i reapeat, and not the other way round

Anu Mpamas.

It is disappointing that over 30 years after the civil war we are still unable to come up with a joined up, authentic account of what actually transpired during the civil war - all we hear about are accusations and counter accusations all over the place.

A country unable to accurately document its own history is only bound to repeat the same mistakes in future.