₦airaland Forum

Lt.-Col. Ojukwu: I agree with you in essence on what you have just said, Bolaji [First name of Major Johnson], but the last bit is badly put. If you will forgive me it is not 'What conditions do they demand before....' If the problem is that we are trying to see how to solve the problem of Government in the centre then I will come in. I will seek your indulgence as I go a little bit back into what a number of people would perhaps wish to call history. At a certain stage, we all accepted General Ironsi as the Supreme Commander and Head of the National Military Government. During his regime we met or rather whilst he was about we met as often as it was practicable, and sat and jointly discussed and took decisions. When the decisions were good we all shared the kudos, when those decisions were bad it is only natural that we should all share the blame. On the 29th of July, whilst he was visiting the Governor of the West, he was said to be besieged in that residence in Ibadan and later kidnapped, further abducted. Subsequent to that, it appeared in his absence the normal thing was whoever is the next senior person to manage the affairs of this country until such a time as he reappeared; or it was necessary he was deposed or if he had suffered certain accident, until such a time as the circumstances were made known. Which ever is the case, the question of the headship of the Government and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces would normally be subjected to a discussion and agreement unless, of course, one party felt he was strong enough to push everybody aside and get to the seat. When this affair of the 29th July occurred, I remember for certain, the first 24 hours nobody thought it necessary to contact the East from Lagos. I made the contact later and I know the advice I gave Brigadier Ogundipe at that time. I said to him, 'Sir, the situation is so confused that I feel that somebody must take control immediately. Also, I would suggest that you go on to the air and tell the country what has happened and that you were taking control of the situation.' Then I was told about concern for the whole country. I knew that if this thing resolved itself into factions we would get ourselves into so much trouble that we would never or we would find it difficult to get out. I maintained and still do that the answer would have been for the responsible officers of the Army to get together thereby trying to get the Army together to solve the problem that we had on our hands. I said to him 'As soon as you have made your speech I guarantee you within 30 minutes, I needed time to write my own, in 30 minutes I would come on to the air in the East and say that I, the entire Army in the East and the entire people in the East wholeheartedly support you.' Forgive me, David [first name of Lt.-Col. Ejoor], that I have never said this to you, but I told him too that I was sure that within fifteen minutes you would say the same in the interest of the country as a whole. He told me that he thought it was a good idea but it did not seem likely that it would be accepted by the faction. Very soon after, I had occasion to talk to you, Jack [nickname of Lt.-Col. Gowon], I did mention amongst other things, two things. The first one was this question of solving the problem and I thought the Army together should solve it. I said also that any break at this time from our normal line would write in something into the Nigerian Army which is bigger than all of us and that thing is indiscipline. How can you ride above people's heads and sit in Lagos purely because you are at the Head of a group who have their fingers poised on the trigger? If you do it you remain forever a living example of that indiscipline which we want to get rid of because tomorrow a Corporal will think because he has his finger on the trigger he could just take over the company from the Major Commanding the company and so on. I knew then that we were heading for something terrible. Despite that and by force of circumstance as we did talk on the telephone, I think twice, you brought up the question of supreme command and I made quite plain my objections, but despite those objections you announced yourself as the Supreme Commander. Now, Supreme Commander by virtue of the fact that you head or that you are acceptable to people who had mutinied against their Commander, kidnapped him and taken him away ? By virtue of the support of Officers and men who had in the dead of night murdered their brother Officers, by virtue of the fact that you stood at the head of a group who had turned their brother Officers from the Eastern Region out of the barracks which they shared ? Our people came home, there are other circumstances which even make the return more tragic. Immediately after I had opportunity to speak to you again, I said on that occasion that there had been too much killing in Nigeria and it was my sincere hope that we can stop these killings. I said then, and have continued to say that in the interest of peace I would co-operate with you to stop the fighting, to stop the killing but I would not recognise. I would not recognise because as I said we have a Supreme Commander who is missing. I would not recognise and to underline the validity of that claim of mine you appointed another Officer, be he senior to you, Acting Governor in the West, presumably acting for the Governor who was then abducted and that I saw no reason why your position would not then be acting. From there I think we started parting our ways because it was clear that the hold on Lagos was by force of conquest. Now, these things do happen in the world, we are all military Officers. If an Officer is dead 'Oh! he was a fine soldier', we drop the national flag on him, we give him due honours and that is all. The next person steps in. So, the actual fact in itself is a small thing with military men but hierachy, order is very important, discipline are sine qua non for any organisation which prides itself for being called an Army. So, the mutiny had occurred, the mutineer seemed in control of the North, the West, Lagos. By international standards when that does happen then a de facto situation is created immediately where whoever is in a position get a de facto recognition of himself in a position over the area he controls. In this situation, Nigeria resolved itself into three areas. The Lagos, West and North group, the Mid-West, the East. What should have been done is for us to get round to discuss the future, how to carry on in the absence of our Supreme Commander.We could not get together because of the situation so we sent our accredited representatives, delegates of Governments and personal representatives of Governors to Lagos to try and resolve certain issues on bringing normalcy to the country. They met and unanimously agreed to certain points. Bolaji, I think in fact from this, if nothing else you do know what I consider went wrong. Perhaps at this juncture I might stop for others to contribute otherwise I would go on and tell you what I consider to be my solution to the problem even now, irrespective of the amount of water that had gone under the bridge. I think there is still a solution provided we are honest with ourselves and we are really very serious about solving this problem. I agree with you it is vital, it is crucial, without it I do not think we can really go anywhere. I leave it for the time being.

Lt.-Col. Ejoor: The Mid-West please.
Major Johnson: And Lagos. Nigeria is still a Federation and in a Federation there is a Central Government. Where is this Central Government and who is Head of this Central Government? Gentlemen, unless we clear this one, all what we are discussing will not be good enough. What are the conditions the East demand before they can recognise what the rest of us recognise as the Central Government?

b. The events of 29 July and the issue of Supreme Commander: the Colonels speak
Major Johnson: Sir, before we go on if I may say something. I am happy we have got to this point again. I had wanted to take this Conference back all along because as my people say 'If you still have lice in your head, there will still be blood on your fingers :' May I ask one question, gentlemen, is there a Central Government in Nigeria to-day?
Lt.-Col. Ojukwu: That question is such a simple one and anyone who has been listening to what I have been saying all the time would know that I do not see a Central Government in Nigeria to-day.
Major Johnson: Thank you, Gentlemen. I think this is the crux of the whole thing and I think if I can take you back this can be a personality clash or something. I am saying here to-day that this is the backbone of our problem. As far as the Governor of the East is concerned there is no central government in Nigeria. You say, Supreme Commander, but as far as he is concerned there is no Supreme Commander. I think this is where we must start from, gentlemen. Why is he not accepting that there is a Supreme Commander and we accept there is a Supreme Commander. This brings me to this Conference that was held in August. As was rightly said, this Committee was a Steering Committee. We are all Military personnel here and we know one thing. We have all been pointing accusing fingers at politicians that they used to take military decisions without military men. The main problem now is that as far as the East is concerned, there is no Central Government. Why? This is what we must find out. I mentioned something about personality clash. I remember that there was a long letter written by the Governor of the East sometime ago referring to the hierarchy in the Army, the policy on seniority and things like that. He said among other things in the letter that if even Lt.-Col. Yakubu Gowon is Supreme Commander is he not right to ask whether it is for a period or something. For all the East knows the former Supreme Commander is only missing and until such a time that they know his whereabouts they do not know any other Supreme Commander. These are the points that have been brought out by the East. Gentlemen, we said this morning that we have come with open minds and we must hit the nail at the head. The East should tell us now what are their views, what are the conditions they want to demand before they can say that there is a Central Government in Nigeria. For all we know now, nobody has seceded, the East is still part of Nigeria, the West, the North and we know Nigeria as a Federation.

Commodore Wey: I 100% support what you have said. Candidly if there had ever been a time in my life when I thought somebody had hurt me sufficiently for me to wish to kill him it was when one of these fellows opened his mouth too wide. I think we should let them stay where they are for the moment. It was simply because we could not get together and handle our affairs. Now that we have established the basis under which we can work please let us leave them where they are and let us try and see how far we can work.

Lt.-Col. Ojukwu: On this statement, Gentlemen, a lot depends on what the Ad Hoc Constitutional Committee is. I agree indeed that regarding other Regions it was indeed a platform for politicians, in the East it was not. I did not send politicians to it but be it as it may, if we say we are going to continue then we must obviously get quite satisfied the terms of running this thing properly. We have got to be able to meet and I said it outside and I repeat it here, I, as the Military Governor of the East cannot meet anywhere in Nigeria where there are Northern troops.

Major Johnson: Gentlemen, if I can start talking on this one, please do not think I am taking undue advantage. Quite honestly I think we all know what brought this country to where we are to-day and while talking yesterday Emeka [first name of Lt.-Col. Ojukwu] touched on a point of how, due to the situation, the politicians got what they have been waiting for to come in. While I very much welcome this Item 4 and while I know that definitely we are not going to be in Government forever, I will like to say that, please for the next six months let us leave everything that will bring the politicians back into the limelight out of the question. Let us go on all these things we have been discussing since yesterday because this is on the basis at which we can get our country back on its feet. Once we can get the papers on these things out and we see them working then we can call the Ad Hoc Constitutional Committee to come and discuss but for now they are just going to confuse the issues more if you bring them out to come and talk anything again. I will say let the Military Government continue for now and after working for six months and we see how far we can go before we start thinking of calling these people back.

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF ABURI ACCORD (MAKE OF IT WHAT YOU WILL)
Attitudes at Aburi a. How the military looks at the politicians
General Ankrah (Ghana): I will not like to dwell rigidly on any point whatsoever because I feel this is a domestic affair of Nigeria and, as I have always said, it is not difficult for military people to understand each other. It is a saying that if Generals were to meet and discuss frontiers, wars or even go into the details to forestall war, there will never be any differences or discrepancies but unity and understanding. There will be no war because the two old boys will meet at the frontier and tell each other: 'Old boy, we are not going to commit our boys to die, come on, let us keep the politicians out' and that is the end. I am quite confident that having met here to-day, you will continue and achieve what you are here for. What I want to stress is this, that through the annals of history we have not seen failures with military statesmen and when military personnel do take over the reins of Government they have proved their worth and, I am sure and confident that the Military regimes that have been saddled with the onerous responsibility of rebuilding and reconstructing the various countries in Africa will not let us down. You are aware that in Nigeria now the whole world is looking up to you as military men and if there is any failure to reunify or even bring perfect understanding to Nigeria as a whole, you will find that the blame will rest with us all through the centuries. There is no gainsaying this whatsoever. Whatever the situation we are soldiers and soldiers are always statesmen not politicians. They deal with a little bit of politics and diplomacy when the time comes but they are statesmen. The people first and they themselves second but if you think like the politicians do that they want fame or they want to be heard of and neglect your people then, of course, I am quite sure that we as soldiers will live to regret, even our future generations will live to regret. They will be blaming us whenever our names are called or mentioned....

debetmx: So we need invitation cards 2 comment on a thread on nairaland? Do I look like flavour nabania? go down low. You must be a learner

My dear, you have successfully derailed this thread. This thread was not about what Ojukwu did or did not do. It wasn't about what Gowon did or did not do. It wasn't about what Awolowo did or did not do.
The threat was about Gowon writing a War Memoir, as the then Head of State. But like the recent trend on NL, the thread has been derailed to Tribal Bashing.
We have had all the arguement for and against Ojukwu/Awolowo. But we will like to hear from one of the Major actors of the War time Nigeria, Gowon.

debetmx: If I must inform you, I have Ojukwu's book "Because I am Involved" in my room right now. I dont blame you, the same propaganda Ojukwu and Achebe have always fed you people. I still cant comprehend that in 2013, the same propaganda they used in 1970 is still effective

My dear I think you have missed the essence of this topic. The op, as well as others will like to also read Gowon's account of event before, during and after that unfortunate civil war. Let Gowon also feed us with his own version of the PROPAGANDA.
Let him write his own memoire, let the reading public and posterity be the judge of his work.

T9ksy: So,ojukwu never planned to go to war?
However, at their enugu meeting On Saturday, May 6, 1967, at 5.15 pm, ojukwu bragged to Awo and i quote

"I started off this struggle in July with 120 rifles to defend the entirety of the East. I took my stand knowing fully well that by doing so, whilst carving my name in history, I was signing also my death warrant......."


So, wtf is lying here?

please can you attach a reference to your quote. Thank You.

naptu2: Ben Murray-Bruce threw that challenge to Gowon, Shonekan, Buhari, etc at the 2012 Silverbird Man of the Year Award (I wish I had a video of that event. A lot of important things were said there). Of the group that Ben Bruce threw the challenge to, only Lt Gen Danjuma has published his memoirs (written by Lyndsay Barret). Murray-Bruce said that he had planned an interview with Ojukwu, but Ojukwu died before it could be completed.

After throwing the challenge, Ben Murray-Bruce handed the microphone to the people he had thrown the challenge to.

General Gowon promised that his memoirs would be published soon. He took time to explain his role during the civil war and said that he was almost in tears when he saw the documentary (silverbird screened a documentary of the war as part of the award ceremony. They showed starving children). He also told the story of how he and Ojukwu had reconciled.


General Buhari expressed reservations about publishing his memoirs, explaining that his words are often taken out of context.

I remember the event you are talking about, but I doubt Gowon will publish any memoir.

T9ksy: Haba! my brother from a different father,gba brake naw! The op stated his reason why he believed Gowon could not write his memoir and that just got me thinking that i never saw Ojukwu's memoir assuming he wrote one, as i would love to read his thoughts on the civil war.

So,my questioon still remains the same- did ojukwu write a memoir, if he did then i want a copy but if he didn't then WHY didn't he.

Ojukwu's war time memoir was titled "Because I was Involved"
Please go to the nearest bookshop and ask for it.

ochukoccna: Another Biafran lamentation thread
This Biafrans no dey tire

These Biafrans no fit tire. Because as Achebe of Blessed memory put it " A man who does not know where the rain started beating him, will not also know where or when his clothes will dry".
All major players of that unfortunate civil war that claimed over 3 million lives, should tell their own side of the story. Let them give their own account and let Nogerians and Posterity be their judge.
This time around Silent is not Golden on the part of Gowon. His people have been slaughtered and are still being slaughtered.
I pity all those that feel that this is an Igbo thing so it does not concern them. A time will come and it is already happening when all ethnic groups will feel the pain of being left alone to deal with those that will arise and oppress them.
Examples, Odi massacre, The incessant killing of Gowon's people in their home stead..... etc.
It is either we dialogue and talk about the civil war and even teach it in the school curriculum or we shut up and continue in this vicious cycle. Believe me you it will surley go round to all tribes making up this entity called Nigeria.

How come when the victims are released, they will always claim that the Police did their job and NO RANSOM WAS PAID.
If it is always like that, Why then are the Kidnappers still in Business?

op, how long havee they been married?
How long did they court?
Why I ask is because a man who is active in the past, may come to a stage that he notices that he no longer lasts as usual ( it has happened to yours truely before).
At that stage he may panic and start taking s,ex enhancing meds. But your coz she allay her husbands fear and let him know that it is not about how long you last but how well you use ur God given tool.

NB.
By the way I have overcome my fear and have sinced bounced back.

nne3870: is that all you've got? I remember you now, I knew you came after me because I gave you a piece of my mind on another thread.
Like a wounded lion you are back trying to get me lay the same curses that was laid upon you by those irresponsible folks of yours.
For the records am igbo and is a taboo in my place to snatch husbands but I heard your ofenmanu folks even have b.as.tards at home b4 they finally settle down.
No I refuse to allow a product of a broken home to annoy me.
Tell your mum that what goes around comes around.

nwanne m' nwanyi, biko kpo ihe ojo, Ihe ojo. Akpola Ajo mmehie ihe oma.

(call a spade a spade, and not a farming tool).

The guy came after you because, you are obviously supporting evil. There is no justification for evil.
Moreover you first brought in his parents into the arguement. Please, Nne, learn how to agree to disagree.

@op, both are to be blamed. The man for breaking his marital vow, the lady for not having enough will to resist a married man.
If these ladies say NO, and stand by it or even threaten to report the wayward man to his wife, I doubt the man will achieve his aim.

What is wrong with Nigerians. Even the people you will think have common sense don't have it or they have refused to apply it.
What is it that Boko Haram is agitating for? (At least we can say that MEND was agitating for the control of their resources).
What does Boko Haram want? Why should we grant amnesty to Terrorists? ( I won't be surprised if GEJ, grants them amnesty, after all he pardons ex-convicts).
Who says that another Terrorist group will not spring up, if BH is granted amnesty? (after all Nigeria is good in copying the bad and ugly).
Who are the spokes persons of BH?
Why can't they show their faces?
Why is it now that power has been taken from the North, that they are being more vocal about Break up and war?
There are so many questions begging for answers, but am truely and deeply disappointed in Nuhu Ribadu.

I am not scared of getting married and staying married. But am scared of whom the gods will bless or curse me with.
After the Fear of God, the fear of Women is the continuation of wisdom.

[quote author=@pearlndu]Even. As I read this. I am crying. Within. Me, just lost a dear uncle, his Wife. And. Daughter. In a fatal accident. Right now am [/quote]RIP to them.
My heart goes out to you. May the Good Lord grant you and your family the fortitude to bear the loss

Sometime this week. Personal reason though.
Actually I often express my emotions in tears.... That's just me.

Please can we just give the Tribal comments a rest.
Achebe as well as Soyinka, put Nigeria on the World Map.

Here was a man who was driven more by ideology than monetary benefits.
Money keep chasing him and he kept running away from it, because he had an integrity to protect.
RIP Great One.

I believe Alams had Jonathan by the balls. Whatever it is that he is using to Blackmail GEJ is very potent.

What of Cars with Tinted Permit?
I don tire for Nigerian Law Enforcement agent. Everyday na new law.

laylow001: When I was younger I hated going to weddings. It seemed that all of my aunts and the grandmotherly types used to come up to me, poking me in the ribs and cackling, telling me, 'You're next.'

They stopped that shit after I started doing the same thing to them at funerals.

Bros you harsh ohh. So you want their funerals to be the next?

she looks like a friend I once had.