by Kolapo Olapoju
It beats us… as to what could be the basis for the comparison of the action of a military commander in the 1970s to the action of a democratic president in 2015?
Just when the dust is yet to settle regarding the Oba of Lagos’ threat against Igbos, a former Chief of Army staff, General Theophilus Danjuma (retd) has posthumously criticised the late Igbo leader and Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.
The criticism came on Wednesday, April 8, when Danjuma sought to compare the post-election action of his visitor, President Goodluck Jonathan, to the action of Ojukwu after the fall of Enugu during the Biafran war.
According to Danjuma, if Ojukwu had accepted defeat in the hands of federal troops like Jonathan did after Muhammadu Buhari’s victory, the civil war would have been averted and bloodshed avoided.
The ex-Minister of Defence made the unnecessary comparison at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Jonathan.
Danjuma said: “The outcome of the election and the manner in which President Jonathan conceded defeat to Buhari, is totally un-African, it is very important in the history of Africa.”
“If Ojukwu did the same after the fall of Enugu, and conceded defeat to the federal troops he would have saved the nation one full year of bloodshed. President Jonathan has made history, set a record to be emulated by the rest of Africa and indeed the whole world. It’s an excellent thing he did.”
poor memory,
is Jonathan’s 6 yrs of blood shed as a result of in action of his government towards boko haram justified? because of his acceptance of a clear defeat and Ojukwus refusal to accept defeat that the civil war didn’t conceal the genocide that was escalating? quietly killing the igbos? holding him solely responsible while the whole world folded their arms and equip both sides?
No! i say Ojukwu took a step to defend his people as the situation presented now or too late in a cold world. What did Jonathan do? other than accept the writings of the people from the ballot box? it was only common sense that he handed over.
remember, Nigeria is greater than one Jonathan from otueke learning on the job with our lives and future.
enough praise singing to Jonathan, if he wants to be great overnight, he should respect the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria by declaring his assets after office even though he didn’t declare it before office. After raising the corruption index of Nigeria.
let me tell you, Nigerians know what has been happening.