Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has called on Nigerians to move beyond hate and embrace forgiveness after receiving backlash for celebrating former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday. Obi’s tribute sparked mixed reactions, with some critics, including former presidential aide Reno Omokri, accusing him of political hypocrisy.
In a lengthy response titled *”Why I Congratulated Gen. Gowon at 90″*, Obi explained his decision to felicitate Gowon, emphasizing the importance of national reconciliation and healing the wounds of the Nigerian Civil War, which took place between 1967 and 1970.
“My message was driven by the belief that Nigeria must move on with love, not anger,” Obi stated. He acknowledged the civil war as the darkest chapter in Nigeria’s history but urged that the way forward is through forgiveness. “I needed to show to the world that the ultimate heroism is forgiving the enemy and moving forward,” he said, referencing Gowon’s role during the war.
Obi also highlighted how Nigeria honored the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, with a national burial in 2012 during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, calling it a significant step in the country’s reconciliation process.
Responding to the notion of revenge versus forgiveness, Obi cited Christian teachings from St. Paul’s letters to the Colossians and Ephesians, reinforcing his belief in the power of forgiveness to heal divisions.
However, Reno Omokri criticized Obi’s statement, accusing him of inconsistency and questioning his ability to lead a united Nigeria. Omokri claimed that Obi has shown bias in his interactions with various public figures, such as Wole Soyinka, whom he allegedly ignored on his 90th birthday earlier in the year due to political differences.
Omokri further questioned Obi’s portrayal of Gowon, stating, “Is the unity of our country safe in the hands of a man who sees a person who fought to preserve Nigeria’s unity as an ‘enemy to be forgiven’?”
Obi, in his defense, emphasized that forgiveness is the path to national healing, arguing that hate and bitterness only fuel further divisions. “Forgiveness is more a process than an instinct,” he said, urging Nigerians to move past the hatred that has hindered the nation’s progress.
The debate surrounding Obi’s congratulatory message to Gowon reflects the larger issue of reconciliation in Nigeria, particularly in addressing the lingering scars from the civil war era.