A United States-based advocacy group, Rising Sun USA, has firmly rejected recent claims made by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), regarding the collapse of the 1967 Aburi Accord. The group argued that Gowon’s version of events grossly misrepresented the facts and attempted to shift blame for Nigeria’s descent into civil war.

In a bold statement signed by its President, Mr. Dede, and Secretary, Rev. Fr. Augustine Odimmegwa, the group condemned Gowon’s remarks as a calculated distortion of history. They asserted that the real cause of the failed peace pact lay in the federal government’s refusal to honor mutual agreements, not in the alleged demands of Biafran leader, General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Rising Sun Defends Ojukwu’s Position as Just and Reasonable

According to the group, Gowon’s assertion that Ojukwu wanted regional governors to control the military amounted to deliberate misinformation. They insisted that this proposal formed part of the consensus reached by all regional leaders during the landmark meeting in Aburi, Ghana, and was not a personal agenda by Ojukwu.

Furthermore, Rising Sun emphasized that the call for regional control over security forces aligned with the principle of true federalism and aimed to prevent further bloodshed. They argued that had Nigeria implemented the terms of the Aburi Accord as agreed, the country would have avoided the civil war, along with the mass atrocities that followed.

Accord Would Have Averted War, Genocide, and Famine

Without delay, the group outlined the historical context surrounding the Aburi Accord, which was convened on January 4–5, 1967. That meeting came after two violent military coups in 1966 and the mass killing of Easterners in Northern Nigeria.

Rising Sun pointed out that the agreement clearly documented the intent to restructure Nigeria into a decentralized federation. They noted that all parties agreed to a weak central government, stronger regional autonomy, and joint control of the military. They argued that these decisions were not only transparent but also preserved in both written documents and audio recordings.

“Contrary to Gowon’s claims,” the group stated, “these positions were the result of collective reasoning. They represented Nigeria’s last opportunity to preserve peace.”

British Influence and Northern Pressure Triggered Accord Breakdown

Moving forward, Rising Sun accused General Gowon of breaking the Aburi agreement not due to its content, but rather because of external interference and internal political pressure. They specifically blamed the British government—through its then-High Commissioner, Sir David Hunt—for instructing Gowon to reject the pact to preserve British oil interests in Nigeria.

According to the group, Britain feared that regional autonomy would weaken central control and threaten Shell BP’s dominance in the oil-rich Niger Delta. As a result, Britain allegedly encouraged the federal military regime to discard the Aburi resolutions and launch a brutal campaign to suppress Biafra.

“The betrayal of Aburi was not about secession,” they declared. “It was about maintaining power and control over resources.”

U.S. Federalism Cited as Justification for Ojukwu’s Stance

To further bolster their argument, Rising Sun drew parallels between the Aburi Accord and the structure of the United States federal system. They questioned why it was considered treasonous for Ojukwu to seek regional control over military forces when U.S. governors legally control their National Guard units.

“Federalism means shared sovereignty. Ojukwu’s position reflected justice and democratic values. It is Gowon who abandoned these principles,” the group insisted.

Group Says Nigeria Still Suffers from the Aburi Betrayal

Undoubtedly, Rising Sun highlighted the long-term consequences of the federal government’s failure to honor the Aburi Accord. They stated that the Nigerian Civil War, which claimed millions of lives through armed conflict, starvation, and displacement, could have been prevented had the federal government acted in good faith.

Even today, they argued, the country continues to grapple with the consequences. They blamed the current insecurity, economic instability, and centralized power structure on the breakdown of the 1967 agreement.

“Nigeria is still trapped in a fake federal system where injustice thrives,” they said. “The path to unity and development was abandoned for violence and domination.”

Biafra Sought Peace, Not War

As the group continued, they made it clear that Biafra’s intention was never to declare war but rather to pursue autonomy, dignity, and protection for its people. They insisted that the failure of the Aburi Accord vindicates Ojukwu and the entire Biafran cause.

“By admitting that the conflict stemmed from military control, not oil or secession, Gowon has accidentally proved that Biafra stood for justice,” Rising Sun said.

They argued that the civil war was never necessary and that the bloodshed could have been entirely avoided through dialogue and a genuine commitment to federalism.

Call for Historians to Revisit the Truth

Finally, Rising Sun called on historians, scholars, and truth-seeking Nigerians to revisit the original records of the Aburi Accord, which they said remain publicly available in written and audio formats. They urged the academic community to expose what they described as Gowon’s attempt to rewrite history.

They concluded with a solemn reminder: “The betrayal of Aburi left a deep scar on Nigeria’s soul. Generations continue to suffer from that decision. It’s time to confront the truth and learn from the past.”

By confronting the painful legacy of the civil war and acknowledging the root causes of its outbreak, the group believes Nigeria can begin a new journey toward national healing and genuine federalism.