Dr. Josef Onoh, a former campaign spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, has disputed recent statements made by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, about his reconciliation with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Onoh, who is Ojukwu’s brother-in-law, claims that Gowon’s version of events is inaccurate.

Onoh revealed that Gowon misrepresented a condolence visit to Ojukwu as a reconciliation meeting. According to Onoh, the meeting happened in Enugu in March 2010, not in London as Gowon suggested. Gowon had visited to pay his respects following the death of Onoh’s father in May 2009.

Onoh, who was present at the meeting, recounted the true events. He recalled Gowon opting for water or orange juice instead of alcohol and bringing up the subject of reconciliation. Ojukwu responded that he bore no grudges against Gowon, emphasizing that both had acted in their country’s interest during the Nigerian Civil War.

Ojukwu further stated that he did not support another attempt at creating Biafra if it would lead to bloodshed among the Igbo people. Before Gowon departed, Ojukwu promised to visit him in return, even joking that he would find Gowon “even on the moon.”

Onoh criticized Gowon for twisting the story, calling his version a “lie.” He noted that distorting the facts would only lead to further untruths in the future. Onoh’s detailed account sheds light on the real nature of the meeting and highlights the importance of sharing accurate historical narratives.