Prof. Chinua Achebe recently released his book on Biafra. I have a lot of respect for Prof. Achebe’s age and achievements in the field of literature. However, I must state that the publication of his book 42 years after the end of the Civil War is ill-timed. Most of those accused of carrying out evil in his book are dead. Why accuse a dead man when he is not in the position to defend himself or admit guilt and apologise? If Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo were still alive, they would have publicly sorted out the issue of carpet-crossing. Incidentally, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu is also dead. Those who planned and executed the January15, 1966, coup (except one or two people) are all dead. Same applies to the July 29, 1966, coup.
Definitely, Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo are not perfect but they have made immense positive contributions to the development of Nigeria. They are aging and should be allowed to spend the rest of their lives in peace. Neither I nor any of those involved in the present controversy over the book is perfect. The debate is becoming not only unhealthy but is also assuming a tribal dimension. If it leads to a tribal war today, all those involved in it will send their children overseas. They will take up very lucrative jobs abroad. Let us call a spade a spade. Mistakes were made by both sides of the conflict. After the carpet-crossing affair, why did Azikiwe return to Enugu to displace an Eastern Minority man from power? This definitely created bitterness between the Igbo and the Eastern minorities. Tribal sentiments apart, the execution of the January15, 1966, coup gave the final impression that it was an “Igbo-coup”. Although it initially had nationwide acceptance when the tribal distribution of the casualties had not been known, tribal meanings were read into the motive behind the coup. Aguiyi Ironsi did not handle most issues well either when he emerged as Head of State – time and space do not allow me to elaborate.
The pogrom unleashed on the Igbo after the northerners had regained political power was uncalled for. But also within Biafra itself, there were extra-judicial killings of many individuals and groups for expressing their opinion on the conduct of the war. The truth is bitter but it must be told. Tribal sentiments should be thrown aside. This controversy should be stopped now, as it is capable of inciting our youths on both sides into military action now or in future.
Nigeria should forget the past and find solutions to the problems facing our nation now.
Christopher Okoye,
Nnewi, Anambra State.
