…recalls the fear, bloodshed, betrayals that destroyed the First Republic By Luminous Jannamike The Atlantic waters were calm, but the conversations aboard the Elder Dempster liner MV Apapa were anything but. As the ship sailed from Liverpool toward West Africa in January 1966, a young Nigerian military officer, Yakubu Gowon, found himself surrounded by anxious passengers […]
May 24, 2026
Gowon
…recalls the fear, bloodshed, betrayals that destroyed the First Republic
By Luminous Jannamike
The Atlantic waters were calm, but the conversations aboard the Elder Dempster liner MV Apapa were anything but. As the ship sailed from Liverpool toward West Africa in January 1966, a young Nigerian military officer, Yakubu Gowon, found himself surrounded by anxious passengers discussing one subject with growing unease: coups.
How close associates betrayed, overthrew me — Gowon
Why I finally wrote my memoir after 60 years – Gowon
Gowon’s Memoir: Ojukwu said we both agreed on every point at Aburi
Gowon's Memoir: What Ojukwu said about Aburi accord
GOWON’S MEMOIR: DUTY WITHOUT ATONEMENT
Ojukwu smuggled arms into Nigeria in build-up to civil war - Gowon
Gowon: East was misled over Aburi Accord
My love for Nigeria is beyond question, says Gowon
My family almost became homeless after coup — Gowon
Gowon Lied, Distorted Civil War History To Hide Betrayal Of Aburi Accord, Destruction Of Nigeria’s Unity — Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer
By Luminous Jannamike, ABUJA Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has recounted how fear, betrayal and growing distrust consumed…
Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has reopened one of the most painful chapters in Nigeria’s history, accusing late Biafran…
The former head of state was overthrown on 29 July 1975 while attending the 12th summit of the Organisation of African Unity…
Gowon said late Mohammed ignored military advice during key operations in the civil war, which ended in devastating losses
Mr Gowon said the publication of the memoir was not intended to settle scores or pass judgment on historical actors, but rather…
Messrs Ojukwu and Gowon have continued to trade blame over the collapse of the negotiations and the eventual outbreak of war.
