Dan Ulasi, a prominent chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, commented on differing accounts of the Nigerian Civil War, referencing former Head of State Yakubu Gowon and the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu while discussing historical narratives and reconciliation efforts.
Ulasi argued that discussions surrounding the Civil War should be approached carefully, saying historical events deserve balanced examination because many families were affected, while differing recollections and published accounts continue to shape public conversations across Nigeria even today.
During the interview, he stated, “look at the book he wrote. You see a lot of confident amnesia, half-truths, and accounts that were not in accord with what happened during the Civil War.
Before he died, Ojukwu had written his book. While Ojukwu was still alive, Gowon was making a lot of comments about the Civil War, and Ojukwu never replied to him.”
He maintained that history should be examined responsibly, encouraging Nigerians to reflect on past events with fairness while recognizing that different individuals may hold varying interpretations based on their experiences, documented records, and personal understanding of the conflict.
Ulasi also stressed that the country’s current challenges deserved greater attention, arguing that national unity, security, and good governance should remain priorities instead of allowing old divisions to overshadow efforts aimed at building a more stable and peaceful Nigeria.
In his concluding remarks, Ulasi called for sincere dialogue among Nigerians, expressing hope that honest conversations and mutual understanding would strengthen national unity while helping citizens focus on resolving present challenges rather than reopening old divisions unnecessarily together.