Former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd.) has warned that Nigeria’s political class must urgently contain the desperation that drives what he described as “do-or-die politicking.”
He also warned against the persistent failure to conduct free and fair elections even at the intra-party level, declaring that despite all the nation’s challenges, he remains confident that Nigeria will not collapse.
Gowon, who turned 91 in February, made the remarks on Tuesday at the launch of his 859-page autobiography, ‘My Life of Duty and Allegiance,’ in Abuja.
Launched six decades after he first assumed power, the autobiography covers his full life across 36 chapters and 859 pages, from his early years in Plateau State and military training at Sandhurst to the civil war, his years in exile in the United Kingdom and his eventual return to Nigeria.
The former Head of State said, “We all must rise to contain the desperation frequently accepted by the political class who engage in what they love to call do-or-die politicking and their inability to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, even in matters as minor as intraparty elections, which has continued to plague our nation from colonial times.
“We must not give room to the naysayers who see no good in our nation and would rather label it as a failed nation.”
Gowon said each time he reflected on his years of service, he found renewed conviction that Nigeria was capable of realising its potential as the giant of Africa, adding that the country’s survival, including through the civil war, was evidence of its fundamental resilience.
“Each time I reflect on my service to my country, I become further persuaded that Nigeria can get better and achieve its potential as the giant of Africa.
“On my watch as head of state, the country did not fall, and I am confident that the nation, despite all its challenges, still will not fall,” he said.
However, he criticised what he described as a national habit of self-inflicted complexity.
He said, “I am worried that Nigerians never seem to get tired of presenting difficult solutions to simple problems, which they further complicate with more complex and ambiguous solutions that invariably generate tensions in the country.”
Gowon governed Nigeria as military Head of State from 1966 to 1975, a period that included the prosecution of the bloody 30-month civil war from 1967 to 1970 and the subsequent post-war reconstruction.
He was overthrown in a bloodless coup by Murtala Muhammed in July 1975 while attending a summit of the Organisation of African Unity in Kampala, Uganda.
Jonathan, Danjuma hail ‘no victor, no vanquished’ legacy
At the event, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Minister of Defence, Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma (retd), praised Gowon for his famous declaration of “no victor, no vanquished,” adding that it helped lay the foundation for healing and national reconciliation.
Speaking at the event, Jonathan said, “Today’s event is not merely the unveiling of a book. It is the presentation of a living testimony.
“It is a reflection of a leader who stood at the centre of some of the defining moments in our national journey.”
The former president said the autobiography offered deep insights into military leadership, peace building and the challenges of governing a diverse nation.
“The Nigerian autobiography offers not only a personal account of military strategy and leadership, but also one of the big insights into the challenges of nationhood, reconciliation, peace building, and statesmanship,” he said.
Reflecting on the 1967–1970 Civil War, Jonathan described the period as one of the most painful chapters in Nigeria’s history but commended Gowon’s approach to reconciliation after the conflict.
“The years of the civil war from 1967 to 1970 remain among the most painful chapters of our national experience.
“Yet, this historical record is committed to the realisation of national unity and perhaps more importantly, the unanimity at the end of this conflict embodied in the enduring declaration of ‘no victor, no vanquished.’
“The declaration laid the foundation for healing, reconstruction and reintegration at a time when victims and witnesses would have been in pain,” he said.
Jonathan also praised Gowon for introducing policies that transformed Nigeria, particularly the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps.
“In Nigeria, the establishment of the NYSC was one key policy that today remains in place,” he said.
He noted that the scheme helped foster unity among young Nigerians and addressed the shortage of teachers in rural schools at the time.
Recalling his personal experience, Jonathan said, “I remember in 1973, I was in class three in secondary school when the third batch of the NYSC came.
“In those days, it was so difficult to get graduate teachers to teach in secondary schools, especially schools that were not in the cities.”
He said two corps members posted to his school taught him subjects including Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology and contributed significantly to his education.
“So the vision of the NYSC is great and will continue to be great,” he added.
Jonathan further commended Gowon for continuing to promote peace and national unity decades after leaving office.
“General Gowon has continued to distinguish himself through decades of public service and advocacy for peace.
“His commitment to national unity, interfaith harmony, and youth development has remained steadfast long after leaving office,” he said.
The former president said memoirs such as Gowon’s autobiography were important for preserving Nigeria’s history and helping younger generations understand the burden of leadership during difficult times.
“As younger generations study our nation’s history, it is important that they hear directly from those who bore the burden of leadership during critical times.
“By sharing his stories, Gen Gowon has once again rendered another important service to Nigeria and the historical record of Africa,” he said.
Danjuma, lauding the ‘No victor, no vanquished’ declaration, said it helped heal the scars of the civil war.
Represented by a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Martin Luther Agwai (retd), said, “As Nigeria’s Head of State during one of the most turbulent periods in our nation’s history, Gen Gowon exhibited immense courage and sterling character in steering our beloved country from the brink of disintegration to a united, stable and strong nation.
“His well-recorded slogan of ‘no victor, no vanquished’ after the civil war set the tone for his highly effective post-war policies, which helped to speedily heal the scars of the war and put Nigeria on the path to sustainable recovery.
“He will forever be remembered as a leader whose love for his country and fellow citizens was unwavering even in the most trying of times.”
Other dignitaries at the event were former Military President, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), represented by his daughter Aisha Babangida; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Ireti Kingibe; the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; and a galaxy of retired Generals, including the son of the late military Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha.
At the event, Danjuma donated N3bn and directed that 12 copies of the book be purchased and distributed to the libraries of each of the 20 universities that had awarded an honorary doctorate to Gowon over the years, while the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, donated N500m.
Other corporate leaders and dignitaries also made substantial purchases of the book at the event, including the President of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul-Samad Rabiu, who procured copies of the book for N25m.
The book was reviewed by a prominent Catholic Cleric, author, and social commentator who has served as the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Mathew Kukah.