Peter Obi, the leader of the Labour Party and the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has addressed the criticism he faced over his congratulations to former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon on the occasion of his 90th birthday anniversary.
Taking to his X handle on Sunday, Obi posted a message titled “Why I Congratulated Gen. Gowon at 90,” stating, “My felicitation with Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary, celebrated by a cross-section of Nigerians, has evoked mixed reactions. Some have expressed their sentiments both publicly and privately to me.”
He expressed empathy for those who felt negatively about his gesture, adding, “As a leader in the vanguard of providing direction for our country to shift away from our past shortcomings, including the issues that led to our avoidable civil war, I felt compelled to demonstrate that true heroism lies in forgiving our adversaries and moving forward.”
Obi reflected on the painful history of Nigeria, noting, “Indisputably, the darkest chapter of our 64-year journey as a nation is the 30 months of civil war from 1967 to 1970. God, in His wisdom, must have a reason for keeping General Gowon alive to celebrate this milestone at 90 years, alongside Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who is 87 years old and has overseen efforts toward a reconciled Nigeria.”
He also referenced the national burial given to Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Biafran leader, on March 2, 2012, saying, “This act remains a strong indication that Nigeria is committed to progressing in the spirit of reconciliation.”
Obi stated, “There are different ways humans can respond to acts of evil, one being the tragedy of revenge and another being the hope of forgiveness. The latter aligns with my decision to greet Gen. Gowon on his 90th birthday.”
He continued, “In all my interactions with people, I strive to follow my Christian faith, encapsulated in Colossians 3:13: ‘Bear with each other and forgive one another; if any of you has a grievance against someone, forgive as the Lord forgave you.’”
Addressing his critics, he acknowledged, “While my reasons for congratulating Gen. Gowon may not resonate with everyone, especially direct victims of the war, I believe that anger and bitterness fuel sectarianism and lead to needless conflicts, as we witness around the world, including in Nigeria.”
Obi concluded his message with a call to action, stating, “Forgiveness liberates the one who forgives. We must overcome hate, which has hindered our nation’s progress. Many of my supporters were born after the Nigeria/Biafra war, and I refuse to drag them back to our dark past through unforgiving attitudes. Such actions undermine the vision of a New Nigeria that we believe is achievable.”
He urged those upset by his gesture to “bear with me and join me in our mission to cultivate a country where hate and the spirit of unforgiveness give way to justice and peace. What Nigeria urgently needs for its survival is good governance, which can only flourish in a climate of true peace and justice. Thank you, and God bless.”
