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Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord - Politics - Nairaland

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Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by BizBooks(m): 4:16pm On Sep 28, 2014
Soon after the assassination of Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi (the then Head of State),
Nigeria of 1966 was clearly heading towards anarchy and dis-integration. To forestall
this catastrophe, General Ankrah of Ghana convened a meeting of top Nigierian military
and civilian leaders in Aburi, Ghana. The meeting lasted 2 days (Jan 4 – 5, 1967). In
attendance were Lt Col Gowon, Lt Col Ojukwu, Lt Col David Ejoor, Lt Col Hassan Katsina,
Major Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Ali Akilu, Mr Akenzua among others.

This meeting produced the famous “Aburi Accord”. The Biafran war could have been clearly
prevented if the agreements of the Aburi Accord were adhered to. For instance, one of the
major agreements of Aburi was that the problems of Nigeria should never be resolved by the
use of arms. While it is true that most participants at the meeting had different reasons for
rejecting the Accord, Gowon’s reason has to be the most mind-boggling. Here’s why:

When it became clear that the Aburi Accord was a major victory for Ojukwu and the Eastern
province, Gowon decided to abandon the agreement because according to him, Ojukwu
went to Aburi prepared while others were not
(yes, Gowon actually said that). In fairness
to Gowon, what he said is true. If you take the time to read the minutes of the meeting, you
will notice that Ojukwu was very prepared. He spoke at length each time he had the opportunity
to speak and spoke quite intelligently. But Gowon should not blame Ojukwu for coming to the
meeting prepared. He should blame himself for not doing likewise.

While a lot of people blame the war on Ojukwu’s quest for power, it is clear that there should
have been no war if Gowon had adhered to the agreements reached at Aburi which he was a
major signatory to.

Reference: Crisis and Conflict in Nigeria: A Documentary Sourcebook 1966- 1970 (Volume 1) by
A.H.M. Kirk-Greene.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Nobody: 4:21pm On Sep 28, 2014
Aburi or Aboki Accord, the koko is that Ojukwu lost out woefully in the power struggle.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Godfullsam(m): 4:51pm On Sep 28, 2014
This biafra issue is past tense joor cool. Let's face the present situations of our country and plan for a way forward and not backward .
God bless nigeria

5 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by BizBooks(m): 4:57pm On Sep 28, 2014
Godfullsam: This biafra issue is past tense joor). Let's face the present situations of our country and plan for a way forward and not backward.

That's all well and good. But if you don't learn from your past, you can never make
progress. The lesson here is: if you reach a documented agreement with somebody,
it is better you stick with it. If not, there may be problems.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Orunto: 5:13pm On Sep 28, 2014
The Book of Proverbs: When you go for a meeting to discuss and agree on common problems, don't attend with MOTIVES. Attend with clear conscience so that deliberations and resolutions will be objective, purposeful and acceptable to all. Ojukwu was the most aggrieved, the cunniest and the most determined to get a selfish desire other than one of unity and a purposeful plan for integrated development of Nigeria. Azikwe, Awolowo, the recently dead Emir of Kano, Aminu Kano, Mbakwe, Shagari etc were all around then, why was no one of them invited to Aburi? Recklessness made them all lose focus. And the way the Igbos are making their case now is not only reckless but greedy. They are also cunningly trying to drag the Southsouth with them to make their always selfish case. God bless Nigeria!!!

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by IGBOSON1: 5:14pm On Sep 28, 2014
barcanista: Aburi or Aboki Accord, the koko is that Ojukwu lost out woefully in the power struggle.


^^^Only a xenophobic tw/at such as your miserable pathetic self can come up with such a pointless and misguided post!

If everyone decided to abandon agreements, accords and treaties they willfully entered into, where will that leave us all!? A man who is not a man of his word is a dishonourable man; a barbarian!

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by eye4eye: 5:18pm On Sep 28, 2014
IGBOSON1:

^^^Only a xenophobic tw/at such as your miserable pathetic self can come up with such a pointless and misguided post!

If everyone decided to abandon agreements, accords and treaties they willfully entered into, where will that leave us all!? A man who is not a man of his word is a dishonourable man; a barbarian!

In your own words and logic, it means GEJ is also dishonorable man for not fulfilling his promise not to contest for second term, to solve power problem by end of 2013 and end corruption practices. I know you to be die hard fan of his.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Donmarrius: 5:22pm On Sep 28, 2014
barcanista: Aburi or Aboki Accord, the koko is that Ojukwu lost out woefully in the power struggle.

Slowpoke,are you here?

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Nobody: 5:24pm On Sep 28, 2014
Donmarrius: Slowpoke,are you here?
fastpoke keep trolling

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by IGBOSON1: 5:25pm On Sep 28, 2014
Orunto: The Book of Proverbs: When you go for a meeting to discuss and agree on common problems, don't attend with MOTIVES. Attend with clear conscience so that deliberations and resolutions will be objective, purposeful and acceptable to all. Ojukwu was the most aggrieved, the cunniest and the most determined to get a selfish desire other than one of unity and a purposeful plan for integrated development of Nigeria. Azikwe, Awolowo, the recently dead Emir of Kano, Aminu Kano, Mbakwe, Shagari etc were all around then, why was no one of them invited to Aburi? Recklessness made them all lose focus. And the way the Igbos are making their case now is not only reckless but greedy. They are also cunningly trying to drag the Southsouth with them to make their always selfish case. God bless Nigeria!!!

^^^I'm assuming all those guys you mentioned were asleep when plans were being made to hold a peace meeting in Ghana; or they asked to attend and Ojukwu said no! Isn't it clear from your post that you and the OP are saying the same thing: that Gowon and Nigeria were not prepared, and didn't have a leg to stand on!?

This country is a fraud, and is built on injustice! Sooner or later we'll all be forced to go our separate ways if we can't be honest with ourselves!

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by naijaking1: 5:28pm On Sep 28, 2014
That's Nigeria for you. The one who prepared well, did his home work, and made better points looses and the ill prepared ones pass. Can you see a pattern in our national life? If you passed your exam well, the person who didn't pass well gets to be promoted better than you, if you're honest the dishonest ones arebetter appre ciated because of tribalism and ethnicity. Too bad.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by BizBooks(m): 5:30pm On Sep 28, 2014
Orunto: Azikwe, Awolowo, the recently dead Emir of Kano, Aminu Kano,
Mbakwe, Shagari etc were all around then, why was no one of them invited to Aburi?

At that time, Gowon was the head of state. So if you are looking for somebody to blame
for not inviting the people you mentioned, blame him.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by hushmail: 6:36pm On Sep 28, 2014
d sole purpose of this post is to ignite tribal bashing by Tribal e-warriors

unfortunately, the tribal warriors have taken up the gaunlet

guys 6 months to general elections there r more important issues to discuss

what is past is past

lets get on with out lives joor wink

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Nobody: 7:30pm On Sep 28, 2014
barcanista: Aburi or Aboki Accord, the koko is that Ojukwu lost out woefully in the power struggle.

And you the e-troll gained immensely, it's just amazing how nairaland makes edi0ts think they have a say or that what they think really matter. Mtcheeeeeew

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by manck2: 7:51pm On Sep 28, 2014
International Law wise , Biafra can not leave Nigeria. only western nigeria can leave nigeria.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by slimghost(m): 10:47pm On Sep 28, 2014
barcanista: Aburi or Aboki Accord, the koko is that Ojukwu lost out woefully in the power struggle.


When will you ever start making sense on NL son?.
Why have you turned yourself into a laughing stock in here?
Why do you always make misguided,shallow,incorrect and empty comments on NL's politics section. SMH!

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by VICTORCIZA(m): 12:34am On Sep 29, 2014
barcanista: Aburi or Aboki Accord, the koko is that Ojukwu lost out woefully in the power struggle.

how does that benefit your useless life?
we lost the war and so?
you who won the war is there a noble prize for that?
When you reach an agreement with somebody make sure you keep your own side of the bargain!!!
olodo that is the message here! not for chest beating like a gorilla

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by IGBOSON1: 3:00am On Sep 29, 2014
eye4eye:

In your own words and logic, it means GEJ is also dishonorable man for not fulfilling his promise not to contest for second term, to solve power problem by end of 2013 and end corruption practices. I know you to be die hard fan of his.

^^^You didn't hear? GEJ swear down say he no promise anytin......and i believe him! Are you in possession of this agreement he signed so we can examine it forensically?

In any case, if you feel he has reneged on any kind of agreement made in the dark between him and a few northern oligarchs, you're free to see him in court!

Cheers!
Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by klodike(m): 10:40pm On Sep 29, 2014
Still wondering the aim and objectives of this topic. Biafra is gone and lost, i wonder why this fellas from the east kip reminding us daily.
hushmail: d sole purpose of this post is to ignite tribal bashing by Tribal e-warriors

unfortunately, the tribal warriors have taken up the gaunlet

guys 6 months to general elections there r more important issues to discuss

what is past is past

lets get on with out lives joor wink
Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by BizBooks(m): 10:59am On Sep 30, 2014
klodike: Still wondering the aim and objectives of this topic. Biafra is gone
and lost, i wonder why this fellas from the east kip reminding us daily.

Some people including myself have strong interest in that period of Nigerian history.
That interest is purely academic. The Amercian Civil War occurred more than 150 years
ago. Today, there are still re-enactments of that war complete with Union and Confederate
soldiers in several parts of the US.
Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by obenze: 11:54am On Sep 30, 2014
Orunto: The Book of Proverbs: When you go for a meeting to discuss and agree on common problems, don't attend with MOTIVES. Attend with clear conscience so that deliberations and resolutions will be objective, purposeful and acceptable to all. Ojukwu was the most aggrieved, the cunniest and the most determined to get a selfish desire other than one of unity and a purposeful plan for integrated development of Nigeria. Azikwe, Awolowo, the recently dead Emir of Kano, Aminu Kano, Mbakwe, Shagari etc were all around then, why was no one of them invited to Aburi? Recklessness made them all lose focus. And the way the Igbos are making their case now is not only reckless but greedy. They are also cunningly trying to drag the Southsouth with them to make their always selfish case. God bless Nigeria!!!
u ar jst stupid
Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by MisterLongman(m): 11:57am On Sep 30, 2014
BizBooks:

Some people including myself have strong interest in that period of Nigerian history.
That interest is purely academic. The Amercian Civil War occurred more than 150 years
ago. Today, there are still re-enactments of that war complete with Union and Confederate
soldiers in several parts of the US.
This is Nigeria not America....... What good will bringing this issue up at this point in time achieve
Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by EMANY01(m): 12:12pm On Sep 30, 2014
BizBooks:

Some people including myself have strong interest in that period of Nigerian history.
That interest is purely academic. The Amercian Civil War occurred more than 150 years
ago. Today, there are still re-enactments of that war complete with Union and Confederate
soldiers in several parts of the US.

Not only that the British the Russians,the Americans,the Germans, the French the Chinese and the Japanese STILL TALK about the events leading to,during and after the 1st world war and the second world war and will keep doing that DECADES going forward and their societies are better for it.

MisterLongman: This is Nigeria not America....... What good will bringing this issue up at this point in time achieve
We are in PERPETUAL DENIAL here in this country which is why the issues that caused the civil war still threaten to lead us into another.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by BizBooks(m): 12:16pm On Sep 30, 2014
MisterLongman: This is Nigeria not America....... What good will bringing
this issue up at this point in time achieve

I assume you were not of age in 1967 neither was I. Wouldn't you like to learn what
happened then from those who were there? The information contained in my post is
not something I heard from some random beer parlour. It was obtained from a book
published in 1971 which is more or less a contemporaneous account of events as they
happened not revisionist history.
Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by EMANY01(m): 12:27pm On Sep 30, 2014
Orunto: The Book of Proverbs: [size=15pt]When you go for a meeting to discuss and agree on common problems, don't attend with MOTIVES. Attend with clear conscience so that deliberations and resolutions will be objective, purposeful and acceptable to all[/size] Ojukwu was the most aggrieved, the cunniest and the most determined to get a selfish desire other than one of unity and a purposeful plan for integrated development of Nigeria. Azikwe, Awolowo, the recently dead Emir of Kano, Aminu Kano, Mbakwe, Shagari etc were all around then, why was no one of them invited to Aburi? Recklessness made them all lose focus. And the way the Igbos are making their case now is not only reckless but greedy. They are also cunningly trying to drag the Southsouth with them to make their always selfish case. God bless Nigeria!!!

That is the dumbest,most unintelligent and false statement ever uttered on Nairaland.
"Don't go with a motive to a peace meeting.
The peace meeting was called to make peace to have opposing parties state their grievances and demands (u might call that motives) and then work out a compromise.
If there is another way that this works please tell me.
"Don't go with motives"....thinking like yours is why Nigeria is still on the war path because of the inherent dishonesty or (I hope extreme foolishness not that this is amy better) in dealing with each other.

Edit:
Know what I'm calling bullsh¡T on your proverbs claim as I am fairly well read in the book of proverbs.Please give us the chapter and verse in the book of proverbs or wherever else the you got that fraud from.I'll be waiting.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by obayaya(m): 12:40pm On Sep 30, 2014
barcanista: Aburi or Aboki Accord, the koko is that Ojukwu lost out woefully in the power struggle.


He lost out woefully.. Gowon and Nigeria won.. I agree.

But is Nigeria happy for it?
Is Nigeria better for it?
Are you happy for it?

The last time I checked, all the regions in the south are still clamoring for true federalism and some sort of regional Autonomy and Resource control.. Something Ojukwu achieved at Aburi without firing a shot..

It's better we move slightly apart and survive, it is much worse that we move closer and perish in Collision - Ojukwu, Aburi, 1967

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by BizBooks(m): 12:52pm On Sep 30, 2014
obayaya:
The last time I checked, all the regions in the south are still clamoring for true
federalism and some sort of regional Autonomy and Resource control.. Something
Ojukwu achieved at Aburi without firing a shot.

That is the point a lot of people here are missing. They think that Ojukwu went to
Aburi to fight for Biafra. Far from it. At that time, Biafra was not in existence. Ojukwu
attended as the Military Governor of East Central State which was one of the five states
in Nigeria then.
Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Nobody: 1:06pm On Sep 30, 2014
Awolowo wasn't at Aburi at Ojukwu's request, cause he felt Awolowo betrayed Nigerians and Biafrans by taking up Gowon's offer of a position in his government as the highest ranked civilian. Gowon on the other hand didn't honour the Aburi accord because oil had been discovered in 'would be' Biafran territory, and on the strength of the advice of advisers like Awo, he recognised how much money the country could make, and how powerful Biafra could become if allowed to carry on with self-determination. We could say it has always been about oil. Correct me if I'm wrong though, I suppose we can learn from each othere.
P.S It wasn't only Ojukwu in history that wanted a separation, in fact it goes almost unnoticed that had Murtala been appointed as Head of government instead of Gowon, his plan was to lead the North out of Nigeria.

1 Like

Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by BizBooks(m): 1:39pm On Sep 30, 2014
teekay12:
Gowon on the other hand didn't honour the Aburi accord because oil had been
discovered in 'would be' Biafran territory, and on the strength of the advice of
advisers like Awo, he recognised how much money the country could make, and
how powerful Biafra could become if allowed to carry on with self-determination.

Ojukwu is generally seen as the cause of the war because he lost. But in actual fact,
the war was caused by actions taken by Gowon right after the assasination of Aguiyi-Ironsi.
For instance Gowon was not supposed to be the head of state after Ironsi was declared
“missing” (an euphemism for “killed”. You see, several months after Ironsi was killed, Gowon
and his cohorts kept insisting that he was missing, giving the impression that he was been
held by some unknown captors. It took the Aburi meeting for Gowon to finally admit that
Ironsi was indeed killed 6 months earlier).

The next in line to Ironsi was Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe. For some unknown reason, Gowon
jumped over Ogundipe and became head of state. If Gowon had not usurped power and allowed
Ogundipe to assume his rightful position, there would have been no war.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Nobody: 1:45pm On Sep 30, 2014
BizBooks:

Ojukwu is generally seen as the cause of the war because he lost. But in actual fact,
the war was caused by actions taken by Gowon right after the assasination of Aguiyi-Ironsi.
For instance Gowon was not supposed to be the head of state after Ironsi was declared
“missing” (an euphemism for “killed”. You see, several months after Ironsi was killed, Gowon
and his cohorts kept insisting that he was missing, giving the impression that he was been
held by some unknown captors. It took the Aburi meeting for Gowon to finally admit that
Ironsi was indeed killed 6 months earlier).

The next in line to Ironsi was Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe. For some unknown reason, Gowon
jumped over Ogundipe and became head of state. If Gowon had not usurped power and allowed
Ogundipe to assume his rightful position, there would have been no war.
True, that was one of Ojukwu's grudges aginst Gowon at the time and he was wary of what he saw as nothern domination.
Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by Nobody: 2:01pm On Sep 30, 2014
Godfullsam: This biafra issue is past tense joor cool. Let's face the present situations of our country and plan for a way forward and not backward .
God bless nigeria
That my brother is the worst way to solve national and personal problems. You don't solve your problems by pretending and wishing away your past and the mistakes made therein. True the war was fought several decades back but we need to revisit it every now and then so as to undetstand the mistakes that led to the war. Nigeria is in its present situation because we have refused to learn from the mistakes of the past, it's undeniably that the events that caused the war then are rearing their ugly heads again and unfortunate that so many people are willingly urging them on.
Some say revisiting the war may reopen new wounds but I say that the wounds are still very fresh even more than 40 years and the best way to heal the wounds is to not repeat the mistakes of the past. We can only avoid the mistakes by knowing them and we can only know them by revisiting the war.

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Re: Why Gowon Rejected The Aburi Accord by justokey(m): 2:21pm On Sep 30, 2014
APContherun:
Some say revisiting the war may reopen new wounds but I say that the wounds are still very fresh even more than 40 years and the best way to heal the wounds is to not repeat the mistakes of the past. We can only avoid the mistakes by knowing them and we can only know them by revisiting the war.

How can we forget a defining incident such as the war? I think the reason the SS and SE are getting along recently is the open admission of the SS that they indeed made error of judgment at the time. If every major actor could come out and take responsibility for their actions then, the wounds will heal faster. Otherwise this mistrust will keep widening until we move apart.

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