Mixed reactions have continued to trail Peter Obi’s birthday message to Yakubu Gowon, the former military head of state.
In a post via X on Saturday, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, celebrated Gowon’s 90th birthday.
“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,” Obi wrote.
“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.”
Obi’s birthday wishes to the former head of state sparked widespread criticism on X.
In a follow-up post on Sunday, the former Anambra governor defended his message, saying he “needed to demonstrate to the world that true heroism lies in forgiving the enemy and moving forward.”
“Indisputably, the darkest part of our 64-year journey as a nation is the 30 months of civil war from 1967 to 1970 and God almighty whose way is not our way must have a reason why he kept the Chief Prosecutor of the war who is General Gowon alive to be 90 years today and the man who saw the end of the war, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to be there at 87 years super-heading all the moves to see a reconciled and just Nigeria,” Nigeria,” he wrote on X.
“There was also a developing new spirit why the same country, Nigeria, gave the Biafra leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a heroic national burial on 2 March 2012, when he joined his ancestors, coincidentally under my tenure as Governor of Anambra state.
“The status of the burial given to Dim Ojukwu remains the boldest indication to the World that Nigeria as a country is disposed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation.”
Below are some of the reactions to Obi’s message to Gowon on X.
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,…
Tobi Akinbo J.
@realTobiAkinbo
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Na Gowon get all this Hype, senior man?
Omo, it’s better you would have just say “Happy Birthday To you General Yakubu Gowin” if you must wish him a happy birthday.
This epistle is unnecessary
