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Ojukwu never reconciled with Gowon – Onoh

Published

1 year ago

December 1, 2024

Ojukwu never reconciled with Gowon – Onoh

Brother-in-law of the late Biafra leader, Dr. Josef Onoh has said that contrary to General Yakubu Gowon’s claim that he reconciled with the Late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, noting that there was no such reconcilation.

Onoh rather maintained that the meeting Gowon claims to be a reconciliation meeting was a condolence visit by Gowon when his father and Ojukwu’s father-in-law, H.E Chief C.C Onoh passed on in 2009.

In a particular reference, Onoh said that Gowon’s narration about his purported reconciliation with Ojukwu in London was not as correct as the former Head of State narrated it, stating that he was a witness to the chance meeting between Gowon and Ojukwu both in Enugu and in London.

Onoh said that Gowon interchanged a condolence visit with reconciliation, noting that because Gowon has started telling “lies”, the former Head of State would need subsequent lies to go on with his jaundiced narratives.

According to Onoh, “Gowon’s narration of his meeting with Ojukwu is a lie! That wasn’t how it happened because I was there. And it wasn’t in London, rather it was in Enugu, in March 2010 and I received him.

Part of the reason for his visit was to pay condolences to the passing of my father, who is Ikemba Ojukwu’s father-in-law who passed-on in May 2009, but Gowon was not in the country and couldn’t make it for the burial.

“I was present in the meeting, I served him and he told me he doesn’t take alcoholic drinks and opted for water or orange juice. He brought up the importance of reconciliation and Ojukwu made it clear that he holds no grudge against him and that as soldiers they did what they believed was best at that time for their country and that he (Ojukwu) doesn’t support another Biafra that will be achieved with bloodshed and massacre of the Igbo.

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“Gowon left and Ojukwu promised to honour him with a visit and he said he was most likely to be out of the country and Ojukwu replied ‘even during the civil War I knew your every movement and location and since I’ve promised to honour you with a visit as you did me, I’ll find you even if you are in the moon.’

“We all laughed and escorted him out. Ojukwu said a closing prayer in Latin at the amazement of everyone present including Gowon. We admired the two men that their actions shaped Nigeria. Ojukwu was fluent in Hausa, French, Yoruba, English, Latin and Ibo and in every way his image and oratory dominated the moment, hence I understand the reason why Gen. Yakubu Gowon is attempting to change history by giving a wrong narrative of events.

“He, Gowon, have always suffered an extreme high level of inferiority complex around Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and even in death he’s unable to rise above that shackles of inferiority, which was still manifest in his condolence message and Tribute to Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu.”

On the London meeting between Ojukwu and Gowon, Onoh disclosed that Gowon exhibited his highest form of insecurity with Ojukwu, particularly when Gowon noticed that Ojukwu’s biographer, Author Fredrick Foresight, was in the vicinity of their meeting in a London hotel.

“It was two months after Easter of 2010 that Ikemba said that since we were in London, let’s pay a visit to Gen. Gowon and I recall asking him ‘Ezeigbo, who do we call to get his address or phone number? He smiled and said I have it right here in my pocket!’

“I was the one that called using my T-mobile Uk number, Gowon’s wife picked up and I informed her to hold on to speak with Ojukwu. The chat was brief and Ikemba said we should proceed to the hotel. It was two days later, at about 4pm that Gen. Gowon came and I’m amazed at all his narration of how ‘if he was going to be assassinated and other nonsense, like a James Bond fiction movie. Frederick (Foresight) wrote what he witnessed during the war and I don’t expect Gen. Gowon to like his narrative because Fredrick portrayed him as he was at that period.

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“Finally, out of respect for Gen. Gowon who was a good friend to my late father and also my late brother-in-law, Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu, I shall refrain from saying much for it will reopen old wounds especially some sensitive issues that was raised by Ojukwu and it was Gowon that refused to have a sincere and candid discussion with Ojukwu during his visit in UK.

“In Gowon’s words ‘Frederick will now go out and write I came to apologize to Ojukwu.’ He was very nasty on that visit especially towards Frederick, but I’ll leave the rest to history and all that was said. But I urge and respectfully plead with Gen. Gowon not to alter stories to make himself appear a Victor because he feels Ojukwu is dead and no one, not Ojukwu’s children will come to alter his wild inaccurate stories, I was close to Ikemba in his lifetime and as he fondly called me ‘My most wonderful brother-in-law.’

“I can say a billion fantastic stories of that great son of Africa (Ojukwu) that most people haven’t heard, I can tell stories from his lips to my ears that will leave a lot of people in shock, Gen. Obasanjo remains one of very few officers he had tremendous respect for and you can never hear Obasanjo attempting to sing like a canary in the media to discuss their military exploits, the men and comrades they lost, nor attempt to score cheap goals by giving false narratives of fellow comrades.

“To Gowon I say ‘The dead don’t talk,’ but I’m privileged to have heard him talk while alive. When you lie, you have to tell another lie to cover the first lie, then another lie, and so on. It is so much easier to tell the truth than it is to lie because I was there and the truth shall set you free.”

Ojukwu never reconciled with Gowon – Onoh

Related Topics:Featured Gowon Ojukwu Onoh

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Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

Published

6 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Rufai Oseni

Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

Reports circulating online suggest that Rufai Oseni, a prominent anchor with Arise News, has been suspended by the station, but the development remains unverified as of press time.

The claim, which began trending on social media platforms and was later amplified by various online posts, has not been officially confirmed by Arise News management or by Oseni himself.

As of now, there is no statement from Arise News, no internal memo made public, and no confirmation from credible mainstream media outlets regarding the alleged suspension.

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The lack of official confirmation means the story remains at the level of a developing report, with details still unclear, including the reason for the alleged suspension, its duration, or whether any disciplinary action has indeed been taken.

Rufai Oseni is one of Arise News’ most recognisable broadcasters, known for his hard-hitting interviews and political analysis programmes, which has contributed to the wide attention the report is currently generating online.

Media observers note that in situations like this, verification from official sources is necessary before the claim can be treated as confirmed news.

For now, the alleged suspension remains unconfirmed, and further updates are expected once Arise News or the broadcaster issues an official statement.

Arise News Yet to Confirm Reported Suspension of Rufai Oseni

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Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

Published

7 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai

Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

The Federal High Court has granted bail to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who is facing multiple corruption-related charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ruling marks a major development in the high-profile trial, although full details of the bail conditions were not immediately disclosed at the time of filing this report. The court’s decision comes amid intensified legal proceedings involving several corruption allegations linked to his time in office.

El-Rufai’s bail was granted shortly after he appeared before a Kaduna State High Court under heavy security for a related proceeding concerning a separate bail application in another ICPC-linked case. The back-to-back court appearances reflect the complexity and multi-layered nature of the cases against the former governor.

Court proceedings were reportedly conducted under tight security, with journalists initially restricted from accessing the courtroom, further heightening public interest in the matter.

During earlier sittings, the prosecution was said to have amended the charge sheet, restructuring the case from an initial joint trial involving El-Rufai and a co-defendant, Amadu Sule, to a sole-defendant arrangement after Sule was dropped from the case.

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The defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ubong Akpan, reportedly expressed surprise over the amended charges, stating that the new documents were served in court without prior notice, which contributed to delays in the proceedings.

The case was subsequently adjourned to April 14, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, which has now resulted in the Federal High Court granting bail.

The ICPC alleges that the former governor was involved in several financial infractions during his tenure, including the alleged release of about ₦11 billion to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never executed.

He is also accused of approving and receiving approximately ₦289.8 million as severance allowance beyond legally permitted limits, alongside allegations of financial misconduct involving a World Bank-linked loan reportedly valued at over $1.08 million.

Other allegations include the controversial award of a ₦4.6 billion CCTV surveillance contract in Kaduna State allegedly in violation of procurement laws, as well as claims of conspiracy to obstruct or influence federal investigators.

In a separate case before the Federal High Court, El-Rufai is also facing additional charges bordering on money laundering, conversion, and alleged unlawful possession of public assets.

He has consistently denied all allegations, insisting that his administration followed due process in all financial and contractual decisions.

The ICPC has not yet issued an updated statement following the bail ruling, while further proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the court determines the substantive issues in the case.

The development adds to growing national attention on anti-corruption enforcement and the prosecution of high-profile political figures in Nigeria, particularly amid renewed debates over governance accountability and public financial management.

Court Grants Bail to El-Rufai in ICPC Corruption Case

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Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Published

7 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

Governor Bala Mohammed has presented more than 114 official vehicles to newly appointed emirs and district heads across Bauchi State, in a move aimed at strengthening traditional institutions in Nigeria and improving grassroots governance.

The presentation took place on Monday, April 13, 2026, and was officially announced by the governor via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. He described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to deepen community engagement, enhance local administration, and promote closer collaboration between government and traditional rulers.

According to the governor, the distribution of vehicles is designed to support traditional leaders in performing their duties more effectively, particularly in areas of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and community mobilisation.

He stated that his administration remains committed to ensuring that both existing and newly created emirates, chiefdoms, and districts are adequately supported to make governance more inclusive and responsive at the grassroots level.

Bauchi Governor Presents Over 114 Vehicles to Emirs, District Heads

The governor also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Bauchi State, urging traditional rulers to remain non-partisan and uphold the highest standards of integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.

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He noted that traditional institutions remain critical partners in maintaining security and promoting development across communities, adding that their role in mobilising citizens cannot be overstated.

The Bauchi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, led by Commissioner Isa Babayo Tilde, also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with traditional rulers, describing them as essential stakeholders in maintaining order and ensuring effective governance.

The Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Adamu, who spoke on behalf of other traditional leaders, expressed appreciation to the state government and assured that the vehicles would be used responsibly for official duties and the benefit of the people.

The fleet of vehicles reportedly includes 14 GMC saloon cars, Toyota buses, Toyota Hilux vans, and over 100 Toyota Camry cars allocated to district heads across the state.

Governor Mohammed, who was first elected in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and re-elected in 2023, has continued to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening local governance structures. His tenure is expected to end in 2027.

This is not the first time the administration has supported traditional institutions. In April 2022, the Bauchi State Government also distributed vehicles to district heads and local government chairpersons as part of similar empowerment initiatives.

While supporters describe the latest gesture as a boost to governance efficiency, critics often raise concerns about public spending priorities amid economic challenges in the country.