Dr. Josef Onoh, former campaign spokesman for President Bola Tinubu in the Southeast and brother-in-law to the late Biafran leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has accused former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon of spreading inaccuracies about Ojukwu.

Onoh specifically disputed Gowon’s account of their reconciliation, describing it as a misrepresentation of historical events.

In a statement, Onoh criticized Gowon for allegedly conflating a condolence visit with reconciliation during an encounter in Enugu in 2010.

“Gowon’s narration of his meeting with Ojukwu is a lie! That wasn’t how it happened because I was there,” Onoh stated. “It wasn’t in London but in Enugu in March 2010, during a condolence visit for my late father, who was Ojukwu’s father-in-law. Gowon couldn’t attend the burial in 2009, as he was out of the country.”

According to Onoh, during the Enugu meeting, Gowon raised the topic of reconciliation, and Ojukwu assured him that there were no lingering grudges.

“Ojukwu made it clear he held no grudge against Gowon, saying, ‘As soldiers, we did what we believed was best for our country at that time. I don’t support another Biafra achieved with bloodshed and massacre of the Igbo.’”

Onoh described the encounter as cordial, recalling a moment of levity when Ojukwu promised to visit Gowon, saying, “Even during the civil war, I knew your every movement and location. Since I’ve promised to honor you with a visit, I’ll find you even if you are on the moon.”

Onoh also dismissed Gowon’s portrayal of their subsequent meeting in London, which he said occurred two months later.

“During a brief stay in London, Ojukwu suggested we visit Gowon. I asked how we’d contact him, and Ojukwu smiled, saying he had Gowon’s details in his pocket. I made the call, Gowon’s wife answered, and arrangements were made.”

Onoh alleged that Gowon exaggerated the encounter, turning it into what he described as a “James Bond fiction movie.” He also claimed that Gowon exhibited insecurity, particularly in the presence of Frederick Forsyth, Ojukwu’s biographer, who was nearby.

“In Gowon’s words, ‘Frederick will now go out and write I came to apologize to Ojukwu.’ He was very nasty during that visit, especially toward Frederick. But I’ll leave the rest to history,” Onoh stated.

Onoh accused Gowon of altering historical accounts to project himself as a victor. He argued that such distortions dishonor the legacy of a leader like Ojukwu, whom he described as a “great son of Africa.”

“To Gowon, I say: ‘The dead don’t talk,’ but I was privileged to hear Ojukwu talk while alive. When you lie, you must tell another lie to cover the first. It is easier to tell the truth. I was there, and the truth shall set you free,” Onoh said.

Onoh emphasized Ojukwu’s respect for former comrades, particularly General Olusegun Obasanjo, whom he admired for refraining from rewriting history for personal gain.

“Obasanjo is one of the few officers Ojukwu respected tremendously. You’ll never hear him attempting to rewrite history or discuss military exploits to score cheap points. Gowon should learn from that dignity,” he added.

Onoh concluded by expressing his commitment to safeguarding Ojukwu’s legacy, stating, “I can tell a billion fantastic stories about Ojukwu that people haven’t heard, but I won’t let his legacy be tarnished by false narratives.”

This critique adds a new layer to the complex history of Nigeria’s civil war and underscores the importance of preserving accurate accounts of its key players.