Gowon ruled Nigeria as a military leader for nine years, from 1966 to 1975 before being ousted by another military junta
By Kehinde Okeowo
A former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), on Wednesday explained why he championed the creation of 12 states in the country while he was in the saddle.
The 90-year-old justified his decision in Abuja while receiving the League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by a former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau.
According to him, the rationale behind turning the then four regions into twelve states was to douse tension and allay the fear of northern domination by other parts of the federation.
He went on to express hope that his guests’ mission was not just about returning to the old thinking where each region prioritises its interest, adding that his position has always been that whatever the north does must serve the greater interest of Nigeria.
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Addressing the visitors, Gowon said, “I firmly believe, as I have always said, that the responsibility of maintaining Nigeria’s true democracy rests on the north, and Baba Tafawa Balewa embodied this ideal.
“Let me also say that I hope your visit is not just about returning to the old thinking where the north prioritises the north, the west prioritises the west, and the east prioritises the east-until, of course, the Mid-West emerged to think for itself
“My position has always been that whatever the north does must serve the greater interest of Nigeria. From your speech, I understand that this is your intention-to ensure the north, in its current state, focuses on national unity.
“It was for this reason that I supported the creation of multiple states, to prevent any one region from becoming too powerful and threatening the country’s unity.”
Gowon ruled Nigeria as a military leader for nine years, from 1966 to 1975 before being ousted by another military junta.