By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
For many Nigerians, it was a shocker that a U.K. parliamentarian, Tom Tugendhat, would accuse former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, of stealing half of Nigeria’s central bank, and depositing them in London. Tugendhat offered no proof for the claim.
Gowon was ousted in a bloodless coup masterminded by Murtala Mohammed in 1975, with the aid of Gowon’s kinsman and head of his presidential guard, Joe Garba.
For many Nigerians, the claim of Tugendhat simply does not add up.
Tugendhat had said: “We need to call out the corruption (in Nigeria). We need to use the powers that we have in this country to stop those who are profiting from the wealth of that great nation and hiding it here.
“Now, some people would remember when General Gowon left Nigeria with half of the Central Bank, so it is said, and moved to London. We know that today, even now in this great city of ours, there are, sadly some people who have taken from the Nigerian people hidden their illegal gains here. We know that our banks, sadly have been used for that profit, and for that illegal transfer of assets. And that means the UK is in a unique position to actually do something to really exert pressure on those who have robbed the Nigerian people,” he said.
Gowon was Nigeria’s head of state for nine years (1966-1975), the longest stretch for any occupant of the Aso Villa, yet he was regarded to be the poorest among those who have held that post.
A Nigerian social media influencer, Japhet Omojuwa said: “I am not a fan of General Gowon. I think rather than use his influence & privilege to speak truth to power, he often rather chose to cozy up to every government of the day. But to say he stole half the CBN considering how he left office? That’s irrational. People gotta be reasonable,” he said.
A former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani also debunk the U.K. parliamentarian claim.
“The claim of ‘looting the CBN’ made by the British Minister for Africa as represented by Mr James Duddridge against General Gowon is nothing but outright falsehood. Gowon exited power without any evidence of wealth & that remains,for over four decades after power,” Sani said.
Another social media influencer who goes with the name Onye Nkuzi, also said: “I don’t believe ‘Gowon stole half of CBN.’ Gowon was a student in Britain around the same time as my Dad. He lived a frugal life and drove a basic car. I’m not a fan of Gowon, but let us put things straight. That British MP is talking nonsense.”
