Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate has issued a statement addressing the mixed reactions to his public congratulations to former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday.
Obi acknowledged the sentiments of some Nigerians, especially those affected by the civil war, but stressed the importance of forgiveness and national reconciliation.
He stated that his gesture was meant to signal a new spirit of moving forward as a united country, free from bitterness and hatred.
Drawing from Christian teachings, Obi cited the transformative power of forgiveness in healing deep wounds and reiterated his commitment to building a new Nigeria where ethnic, religious, and regional divides no longer hinder progress.
He explained that holding onto bitterness only perpetuates division and does not serve the nation’s future.
Obi also noted that his supporters, many of whom were born after the Civil War, should focus on the future and not be dragged back into the divisions of the past.
Part of the statement read: “Whatever reason I will give for joining the rest of Nigerians to greet General Gowon, May never truly conform with some persons, especially direct victims of the war, but anger, hurt, and bitterness are the commonest responses to cruelty.
“It fuels sectarianism, it leads to resistance and avoidable blood feuds that we are witnessing across the globe, and even in our country and it does not abate.
“There is something about forgiveness, it sets the person doing it free. Forgiveness is more a process than an instinct. It’s hate that has put our society, blessed by God to be the greatest land in the black World, down, but this hate has to stop.”