‘You have betrayed your people’, IPOB tells Obi for hailing Gowon on his 90th birthday
RIPPLES NIGERIA
Proscribed Igbo separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has labelled the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, a traitor for felicitating with former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon on the occasion of his 90th birthday celebration.
Gowon who was Nigeria’s leader during the civil war, celebrated his birthday on Friday and in the midst of congratulatory messages that poured in, Obi, on Saturday, also wished him well.
“I am privileged to join other Nigerians of goodwill to celebrate a highly respected leader and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary,” he wrote on his X handle.
“In a time of hate, you stood for love. At a time of strife, you stood for peace. At a time of division, you stood for unity. Your life of service to our great nation, Nigeria, stand as one of sacrifice, leadership, and unity.
“Your steadfast commitment to preserving the peace and sovereignty of Nigeria during a challenging period in our history will forever be remembered and revered.
“Your exemplary leadership and statesmanship remain an inspiration to younger and many generations of Nigerians.
“As we celebrate this milestone, I pray that God continues to grant you good health, wisdom, and the grace of true fruitfulness. May your legacy continue to guide us as we strive to build a more united, prosperous, and just Nigeria. Happy 90th birthday, Sir.”
I am privileged to join other Nigerians of goodwill to celebrate a highly respected leader and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary.
In a time of hate, you stood for love. At a time of strife, you stood for peace. At a time of division,… pic.twitter.com/gImor8m1Ya
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) October 19, 2024
However, IPOB viewed the message as a betrayal of the Igbo who still accuse Gowon of presiding over the massacre of millions of people of the South-East region in the civil war.
In a statement by IPOB Central posted on its X handle on Sunday, the group said that Obi had become a desperado who is doing everything possible to curry favour from the North in his bid to become Nigerian president.
The statement addressed to Obi reads:
“Dear Peter Obi @PeterObi (‘Mr.Desperado’),
“In your efforts to gain favour with the North, you have offended the memory of the 6 million Biafrans who were massacred by Gowon. Perhaps it is time for you to reconsider your actions and change your approach.
“It is disappointing to see you blaming the victims and praising someone who committed genocide against your people.
“This reminds me of how Nnamdi Azikwe also failed to stand up for his people when he couldn’t achieve his personal goals.
“The blood of the innocent Biafrans killed by Gowon will stand in opposition to anything you represent. You have stirred the spirits of our ancestors.
“Azikiwe betrayed his people in the hope of becoming the president of Nigeria one day, but he failed. Your approach seems to be following the same path because you are not learning from history.
“It’s disheartening to see you behaving like an outsider in Igboland. …, you have validated the killings of over 6 Million Biafrans by a genocidist (Gowon).
“Can you imagine a Jewish praising Hitler? That is exactly what you have done. (Abomination). It is time that Ndigbo distances themselves from you because you are very dangerous.
“May the blood of our ancestors who died defending the innocent seek justice against those who have disrespected them.”
Dear Peter Obi @PeterObi (‘Mr.Desperado’),
In your efforts to gain favour with the North, you have offended the memory of the 6 million Biafrans who were massacred by Gowon. Perhaps it is time for you to reconsider your actions and change your approach.
It is disappointing to… pic.twitter.com/zFjVFOT2cW
— IPOB Liverpool Central (@ipob_central) October 20, 2024
