Nigeria Can’t Survive Another Civil War, Obasanjo Warns
Nigeria Can’t Survive Another Civil War, Obasanjo Warns
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has warned that Nigeria cannot survive another civil war, saying many of the issues that triggered the 1967-1970 conflict have remained unresolved within the country’s institutions and among its ethnic groups.
Newera News gathered that Obasanjo spoke yesterday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the presentation of a historical publication titled Asaba Massacre, authored by the Isama Ajie of Asaba, Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze.
Recalling a conversation with former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Obasanjo said Gowon had maintained that Nigeria would not survive a second civil war.
“I believe we have fought one civil war too many already. To say we will have a second civil war, God forbid. We must learn from the past, condemn what happened that should never have happened, and do everything humanly possible to prevent a recurrence. We must be able to say, ‘Never again,’” he said.
Obasanjo said although he took part in the Civil War, he could not give a detailed account of the Asaba Massacre because the area was under the command of the late General Murtala Muhammed.
“I must confess that I was involved in the civil war. When people talk about the Asaba Massacre, I always admit that I cannot give details of it because Murtala Muhammed was in charge of that operation,” he said.
He disclosed that he had often been asked about Muhammed’s role in the Asaba operations but had declined to comment. He promised to study the historical compilation, including its transcripts and audio-visual materials.
“Some of the things that led to the civil war are still with us today. How long will they continue?” Obasanjo asked, calling for Nigeria to confront its history honestly to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies
He also recalled an incident during the war in which he stopped a soldier from raping a woman in Asaba, saying such an act would have made him vicariously liable as a commander.
