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Why Nigeria bought arms from Soviet Union during civil war — Gowon
Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) has revealed that the refusal of the United States and Britain to supply arms to Nigeria during the civil war drove his government into the arms of the Soviet Union and a Lebanese black-market businessman.
He said the two unlikely lifelines eventually turned the tide of the three-year conflict, which raged from July 1967 to January 1970.
The revelations are contained in Chapter Fifteen of Gowon’s 859-page autobiography titled My Life of Duty and Allegiance, obtained by our correspondent at the book’s launch in Abuja on Tuesday, where President Bola Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The chapter, titled “If The Devil’s Ready To Help,” chronicles Gowon’s desperate search for weapons as Nigeria’s ammunition stockpile collapsed to half a million rounds for the entire Army by late 1968.
He said the stockpile was insufficient to sustain operations, while traditional Western allies remained aloof.
He wrote, “As the weeks of fighting wore on, our stock of ammunition was steadily depleted by these wastes, and we could not replenish them because international sales restrictions prevented suppliers from selling military hardware to Nigeria.
“Left with no choice, I ordered the Federal troops to hold their position after the capture of Enugu up to Okigwe and Umuahia because I could not, in clear conscience, commit them to further advance knowing that the ammunition to sustain the effort was in short supply.”
Gowon said he was particularly stung by the contrast between the inaction of the Western allies in Nigeria and their aggressive military posture in Vietnam and Cambodia, where American air power was being deployed at scale.
He sought out the British and American ambassadors in a meeting he described as one of the most consequential of the war.
About the meeting, he said, “If I say I’m not disappointed, it will be an understatement.
“I, however, left them in no doubt that I had a duty and responsibility to keep Nigeria united and safe for all Nigerians and other nationals resident in Nigeria.
“As they were about to enter their cars, preparatory to leaving the State House, I said, if I say I’m not disappointed, it will be an understatement, so I will go to any devil to get what I need to deal with the problem, to do my duty to my country, and when that happens, I hope I will not be accused of doing something wrong.”
Both ambassadors left without any commitment, Gowon said.
However, the former Head of State said he had already decided on his next move.
He said Moscow’s willingness to supply arms could serve as the lever that forced Britain and America back to the negotiating table.
A Nigerian delegation led by Commissioner of Information Anthony Enahoro, Permanent Secretary Edwin Ogbu, Chief of Air Staff Emmanuel George Kurubo and Ambassador John Ukegbu was promptly dispatched to Moscow.
“The Soviet Union supplied us some MiG-15 trainers and MiG-17 bombers for the meeting, which was a huge success,” he wrote, adding that Soviet-Nigerian relations grew into something “special” in the aftermath of the war, a warmth that had been purchased by Western indifference.
According to him, Moscow alone could not solve the immediate ammunition crisis.
For that, Gowon said he turned to Ali Jamal, a Lebanese businessman with access to the black market for military hardware, “who strongly believed in Nigeria” and who offered to personally finance the procurement of ammunition and equipment, asking only to be reimbursed interest-free once the government could pay.
“Jamal was not deterred even after I told him that I had no money with which to make immediate payments for the purchases.
“He told me not to worry and that he would use his own money to provide the ammunition we needed but would want to be reimbursed interest-free at the shortest possible time.
“With his support, we were able to get some of the hardware and the ammunition we needed to change the face of the war,” Gowon wrote.
But the arrangement nearly collapsed at the Federal Executive Council when Finance Commissioner Chief Obafemi Awolowo refused to authorise payment, objecting that the process had not been properly followed and that it constituted extra-budgetary expenditure.
To this, he said, “I was aghast because it suddenly appeared to me that the Finance Commissioner and others at the FEC did not understand the depth of the problem I was in to ensure the survival of the men in the field and that war was successfully prosecuted.”
He told Awolowo: “I’m afraid I’ll want to use my powers and authority, which I think I can do as Head of State and Head of Government, to give any department the order to do what is required to be done.”
On the altercation at the council meeting, he said, “Although I used anger and the power of my office to win the argument and retain the integrity of the nation with my friend, I felt proud of my team that always insisted on following due process to justify every action and every expenditure. Jamal subsequently was paid in full.”
The book, running to 859 pages across 36 chapters, covers Gowon’s full life from his Angas origins in Plateau State through his military career, the civil war, his ouster in 1975 and his years in exile and academic study.
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Rt Hon Chinedum Orji Former Abia Assembly Speaker and Patron of Cityboy Movement Wins APC Federal Ticket
UMUAHIA – Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Orji, former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and Abia State Patron of the CityBoy Movement, has officially clinched the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman of the Abia State National Assembly Primary Election Committee, Barrister Erasmus Cishak, announced the results on Saturday night at the APC State Secretariat in Umuahia. According to Cishak, the primary election was conducted peacefully, transparently, and credibly across all eight federal constituencies in the state.
Orji won in all 32 wards across the three local government areas of Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South. The victory sparked celebrations across the constituency as supporters, youth groups, and party loyalists hailed the outcome as a reward for loyalty, accessibility, and years of legislative experience.
Speaking shortly after the announcement, Orji expressed deep appreciation to the party’s primary election committee, delegates, party executives, leaders, and supporters for the overwhelming confidence reposed in him. He described the victory as a collective triumph for unity, loyalty, and the shared vision of advancing the interests of the people of Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South.
According to the former Speaker, the mandate freely given by party members would further inspire him to remain committed to quality representation, empowerment programmes, and people-oriented legislation that would positively impact the lives of his constituents. He also called on party faithful to remain united and focused ahead of the general elections, stressing that the APC remains determined to strengthen its presence across Abia State.
Political observers believe Orji’s emergence as the APC candidate positions him as a formidable force in Abia politics and a major contender in the forthcoming House of Representatives election.
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By Okey Maduforo Awka
The ceremony, held at the Executive Council Chambers inside the Light House in Awka, marks the systematic assembly of “Team Solution 2.0.”
Soludo had earlier sworn in two Commissioners about three weeks ago before the recent inauguration of the 18 appointees.
Governor simultaneously inaugurated four key heads of agencies into the State Executive Council, forming a unified administrative team designed to accelerate Anambra’s economic transformation.
He warned the appointees that their roles must be treated as heavy burdens of public trust rather than invitations to personal luxury.
“In Nigeria, a public appointment is too often viewed as a call to ‘come and chop.’ But under this administration, I don’t see a dining table. What I see is gruelling work; I see fields where you must sweat to serve,” Governor Soludo stated.
The Governor revealed that the entire cabinet selection process was highly intentional, characterized by deep vetting to ensure merit and capacity.
Using a metaphor to describe the high-velocity pace expected of his second-term administration, he remarked:
“The plane is already on autopilot. If you don’t get into the passenger cabin, you must get directly into the cockpit. We are in a race against time to build a liveable and prosperous homeland for over nine million Ndi Anambra.
Governor Soludo further challenged the cabinet members to keep their copy of the Oath of Office close, revealing that he keeps his own displayed in his bedroom as a daily moral compass before stepping out for governance.
He concluded by appealing to the families and relatives of the appointees to manage their personal expectations, stressing that public service requires immense sacrifice and 24/7 commitment.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated executive council members, the Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, expressed profound gratitude to both the state legislature for its swift confirmation process and to Governor Soludo for the privilege to serve.
*A BREATH OF FRESH AIR*
The Young Progressives Party (YPP), which it’s name represents what it stands for has again proven to the Anambra people that the party is not just any party but a party that understands what leadership is all about and knows how best in choosing a great leader for the party.
Hon. Chukwunonso Okoye, popularly known as “Ubinaemenni II,” and the first son of former APGA Chairman in Anambra Central, Ozonkpu Chief Nduka Chinedu Okoye, Ubinaemine has officially declared his intention to contest for the Anambra State House of Assembly seat representing Njikoka Constituency 1 in the forthcoming 2026 election under YPP.
Mr Okoye, who is the Executive Director of UBI Hotels Ltd, has emerged as the consensus candidate for the party. While addressing the party faithfuls, he reaffirmied his commitment to grassroots development, youth empowerment, and quality representation, which includes but not to limited to making of positive bills which will help the seating government of Anambra state and ndi Anamnbra state in general to achieving the Anambra of our dreams .
Speaking shortly after he emerged as the party flag bearer. He described his ambition as a call to service aimed at bringing a new voice, a new vision, and a new beginning” to the people of Njikoka Constituency 1.
According to him, “The time is now. The future is ours. Together, we can build better communities through purposeful leadership and people-oriented governance.”
In a show of strong family and political support, his father, High Chief Ozonkpu Nduka Chinedu Okoye who has remained a committed supporter and stakeholder of APGA over the years, openly declared his backing for his son’s aspiration. He also called on APGA faithful and stakeholders across Njikoka and Anambra State to support Chukwunonso Okoye’s ambition, describing him as a young, capable, and visionary leader who understands the needs of the people.
High Chief Ozonkpu Okoye further noted that the aspiration aligns with the youth-driven leadership vision being championed by the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Charles Chukwuma Soludo, whom he praised for encouraging greater youth participation in governance and leadership across the state.
Campaign materials released by the aspirant carried strong messages of hope and progress, urging constituents to embrace positive change ahead of the 2026 elections.
Supporters and party faithful have continued to rally around Okoye’s candidacy, expressing confidence in his ability to deliver effective representation and drive developmental projects across the constituency.
The Young Progressives Party has continued to position itself as a platform for emerging leaders and progressive ideals in Anambra State politics as preparations intensify for the 2026 elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday submitted their nomination forms at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Atiku, in a post on his X handle on Thursday, said his presidential bid represents a broader movement aimed at restoring national prosperity and rebuilding Nigeria.
Amaechi, on his part, pledged to turn the country around within four years if elected, arguing that competence, experience and performance—not ethnicity or political sentiment—should determine the 2027 contest.
Their declarations come as the ADC continues to attract high-profile politicians ahead of the next general elections, amid intensifying political realignments across the country.
Speaking after submitting his form at the ADC national headquarters in Abuja, Atiku wrote, “The march to restore prosperity and better days to our beloved nation took a firm and decisive step forward today at the national secretariat of our great party, the African Democratic Congress.”
The former vice president said the movement transcended politics and was focused on national renewal and hope.
“This is more than a political journey; it is a national movement rooted in hope, renewal, and the collective resolve to save Nigeria from despair,” he stated.
He also called on Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional divides to support the movement.
“I call on all Nigerians, regardless of region, faith, or background, to join us in this noble cause. Together, we will restore the promise of our nation and bring good times back again,” he added.
On his part, Amaechi pledged to transform Nigeria within four years if elected in the 2027 general election.
Amaechi made the promise shortly after submitting his nomination forms, where he also took a swipe at the administration of President Bola Tinubu, blaming it for the country’s worsening economic hardship.
The former Rivers State governor said the 2027 election should be based on competence, experience and performance rather than ethnic or regional sentiments.
“What Nigerians should do is assess all of us who are running for office based on our records.
“Nearly everybody who is running for the office of the president has served Nigeria in one way or another. Let this be a referendum. If you have performed, whoever has outperformed the other, vote for the person,” he said.
Amaechi argued that his years in public office had prepared him for the task of leading the country, citing his tenure as governor and later as Minister of Transportation under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The next thing is, who is capable of delivering the votes? Who is capable of beating the incumbent? Who has the experience? I believe I am the most experienced.
“I am young, I am the most experienced, and I believe I have the capacity.
“Go back to Rivers State and see what I have done. Go back to the Ministry of Transportation and see what I have done, and assess it and see whether I can turn the country around. And I will, in four years, turn the country around,” he declared.
Amaechi, who served as governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, was a key figure in the formation of the All Progressives Congress and later served as Director-General of President Buhari’s 2015 campaign.
As Minister of Transportation between 2015 and 2023, he oversaw major railway projects, including the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan rail lines, although critics questioned the rising debt associated with some of the infrastructure projects.
Speaking on the state of the nation, the former minister criticised what he described as the growing hardship under the Tinubu administration, saying Nigerians were bearing the brunt of economic policies that had worsened living conditions.
“Nigerians should vote for merit, not vote for those who say, ‘I’m from this place’ or ‘it is our turn.’
“It is the ‘Emilokan’ mentality that brought us here. It is our turn that brought us here. Now Nigerians are suffering,” he said.
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