Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has called on Nigerians to embrace forgiveness and unity while celebrating the 90th birthday of former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
Gowon, who turned 90 on October 19, 2024, was widely celebrated by prominent figures, including President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Christian Association of Nigeria.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, congratulated Gowon and acknowledged his legacy of service, leadership, and unity. His message read: “I am privileged to join other Nigerians of goodwill to celebrate a highly respected leader and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary. In a time of hate, you stood for love. At a time of strife, you stood for peace. At a time of division, you stood for unity.”
Obi added that Gowon’s contributions to Nigeria reflect a life of “sacrifice, leadership, and unity,” urging Nigerians to draw inspiration from his example.
However, Obi addressed concerns on Sunday regarding mixed reactions to his congratulatory message. While some people viewed his message as inappropriate or unnecessary, Obi emphasized that the gesture was intended to promote forgiveness, which he described as a crucial step in healing old wounds.
Explaining his motivation, Obi tweeted: “My felicitation with Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary… has been received with mixed feelings. I feel that, as a leader committed to shifting our country from past shortcomings, including the painful civil war, I needed to demonstrate that true heroism lies in forgiving and moving forward.”
Obi reflected on the impact of Nigeria’s civil war (1967–1970) and noted the significance of Gowon and former President Olusegun Obasanjo—key figures from that era—living to their 90s and 80s, respectively.
“There is also a new spirit of reconciliation evident in how Nigeria gave Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Biafra leader, a national burial in 2012,” Obi said, recalling that the burial took place during his tenure as Anambra State governor.
Quoting from the Bible, Obi emphasized the power of forgiveness over resentment, referencing Colossians 3:13 and Ephesians 4:31-32 to underscore his message.
“Forgiveness is a process that liberates the person offering it,” Obi noted, adding that anger and bitterness only deepen divisions. “Hate has held our society back, but it’s time to let it go.”
Obi also acknowledged that not everyone might agree with his decision to congratulate Gowon, especially those directly affected by the war. However, he urged them to join him in building a nation free from hatred and bitterness.
“Our society, blessed by God to be the greatest in the black world, cannot move forward if we remain stuck in the past. I was under 10 years old when the war began, and many of my supporters were born after it. We must avoid dragging them back into the dark side of our history by nurturing old grievances,” Obi stressed.
He concluded by urging those offended by his message to embrace the spirit of reconciliation and support the vision of a new Nigeria. “What Nigeria needs to survive is good governance rooted in true peace and justice,” Obi said. “Thanks, and God bless.”
