Businessman and social commentator, Gaius Chibueze, has criticized former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, over claims contained in his recently launched memoir concerning the events that led to the Nigerian Civil War.
In a statement released on May 30, 2026, to coincide with Biafran Remembrance Day, Chibueze accused Gowon of attempting to rewrite history by placing responsibility for the collapse of the 1967 Aburi Accord on late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
According to Chibueze, the historical record surrounding the Aburi meeting in Ghana does not support Gowon’s assertion that Ojukwu merely offered his own interpretation of the agreement reached by Nigerian leaders. He argued that the accord was jointly drafted, reviewed, and accepted by all parties present, insisting that subsequent federal actions, particularly the introduction of Decree No. 8, demonstrated that the original agreement had been altered after the meeting.
The businessman further questioned why Gowon waited decades before publicly challenging Ojukwu’s account of the Aburi discussions, noting that the former Biafran leader had consistently maintained his position throughout his lifetime.
Beyond the debate over the Aburi Accord, Chibueze expressed disappointment that Gowon’s memoir did not contain what he described as a meaningful reflection on the humanitarian consequences of the civil war, particularly the suffering and deaths of civilians during the conflict.
However, Chibueze also urged Ndi Igbo to move beyond a politics centered solely on historical grievances. While acknowledging the reality of political exclusion and past injustices, he argued that the future of the Southeast depends more on internal development, economic investment, and accountable leadership than on continued complaints about marginalization.
He called on wealthy Igbo entrepreneurs, political leaders, and professionals to prioritize investments in Ala Igbo, advocating for improved infrastructure, industrial development, healthcare, education, and regional economic cooperation.
Promoting his “Make Ala Igbo Great Again” (MAIGA) initiative, Chibueze stressed that the progress of the Southeast would not be determined by federal authorities alone but by the willingness of Igbo people to invest in and develop their homeland.
According to him, remembering the victims of the Biafran War should go hand in hand with building a stronger and more prosperous future for the region.
“Honor the dead by building the future they dreamed of,” he concluded.
