IPOB: Amadi Claims Gowon Could Have Prevented Biafra Civil War

Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, has made a provocative statement regarding former Military Head of State Yakubu Gowon, asserting that he could have prevented the Biafra civil war. In a post on X, Amadi criticized Gowon for failing to prosecute those responsible for the violence against the Igbo people, which he believes was a major factor leading to the conflict.

Amadi argued that the roots of the war lay in Nigeria’s flawed identity-based politics, which incited mass violence against the Igbo community. He stated, “If Gowon and his colleagues had acted decisively on behalf of the rule of law and openly prosecuted those who killed Igbos, there would have been no demand for secession and no war.”

In his comments, Amadi described Gowon as neither a great leader nor a grave villain, but rather a “rookie stooge” whose inaction contributed to a devastating civil war that could have been avoided. He remarked that while Gowon is responsible for the genocide, it was not an intention of his leadership.

Amadi’s remarks reignite discussions on the accountability of leaders during critical historical moments and the impact of their decisions on national unity.