FEAR Of BIAFRA? Yakubu Gowon Shocks Everyone, Reveals Why He Created More States In Northern Nigeria
Former Nigerian leader General Yakubu Gowon on Wednesday reflected on the historical motivations behind his support for the creation of states in Nigeria, explaining that the initiative aimed to address concerns over the northern region’ s size and demographic influence.
Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the League of Northern Democrats (LND), Gowon revisited his tenure as head of state, touching on the group’ s objectives for the northern region’ s development and Nigeria’ s unity as a whole.
During his administration, which included navigating the complexities of the Civil War, Gowon underscored that advocating for state creation was crucial to promoting national stability and alleviating fears of dominance by the northern region.
” The northern region’ s vast size and population were significant sources of concern for other parts of the country, ” he remarked. ” Unresolved, these apprehensions could have led to Nigeria breaking apart. ”
Gowon recalled the era’ s widespread secessionist tensions, which were not limited to the eastern region but extended to the west and even sections of the north.
” There were moments when rumors circulated that the north was considering secession, much like similar accusations directed at the east and the west, ” he stated.
” The looming threat of disintegration was a heavy burden on my shoulders. If we had allowed the nation to fragment, what identity would we have today— separate entities as Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and others? ”
He highlighted that his push for state creation was informed by consultations with various political figures, traditional rulers, and community leaders.
These engagements, he noted, aimed to promote equitable distribution of power and foster inclusivity across the nation.
” Dividing the northern region into multiple states was a deliberate step to ensure no single region would overshadow the rest, ” Gowon explained, describing the decision as an act of national interest over regional favoritism.
He praised the LND for its dedication to national unity, urging the group to prioritize Nigeria’ s collective welfare over narrow regional goals.
” The North must consistently act in the nation’ s interest, ” he advised.
” I view your work as an extension of the legacy of leaders like Sir Tafawa Balewa, who embodied both regional pride and national democratic ideals. ”
In his remarks, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), outlined the organisation’ s purpose as a vehicle for fostering unity, advancement, and visionary leadership.
Shekarau elaborated that the LND was created to tackle pressing issues in northern Nigeria, such as rising insecurity, widespread poverty, social divisions, and the decline of cultural and moral values.
” The efforts made during General Gowon’ s era to safeguard Nigeria’ s unity must not be forgotten, ” Shekarau stated.
” The LND aims to reestablish the north as a hub of political, economic, and cultural influence while strengthening bonds of harmony across the nation. ”
He detailed the group’ s goals, including promoting cohesion among northern ethnic and religious communities, creating platforms for political dialogue, addressing poverty, and championing sustainable development initiatives.
