“It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface at least, nothing wrong with those aspirations.
“It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface at least, nothing wrong with those aspirations.
“However, Awolowo saw the dominant Igbo at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity arose – the Nigeria-Biafra War – his ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams.
“In the Biafran case, it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation – eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.”
Since the release of excerpts from Achebe’s ‘There Was A Country’, controversy, debates and insults have broken lose in the media and social networks over one of Achebe’s personal understanding of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, especially the role of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. What seems to be lacking is an honest effort to search out the truth in other to refute or affirm Achebe’s impression. So far, what have ruled the discus are the shallow mental acuity of those who either support or are against Achebe, some finding no fault while others see only faults. The aim of this write up is to reach back into documented history in other to affirm or dismiss Achebe’s observation.
It should be noted that Achebe, as a participant in the civil war may be parochial in his observations and analyses of the events of the period. Yet, he is entitled to his opinion. When such opinions run counter to documented truths, it is incumbent on others to point it out for the sake of correction. It is unbecoming of men in the twenty first century to pout and flaunt ignorance the way many have done in this matter. Awolowo may be a revered sage among many; he was after all, a man filled with human faults which if pointed out, should be seen as such. And if Achebe’s comments about him are true, it will not diminish his stature before the many that adore him! It will only prove him a fallible mortal. It is equally absurd to equate Awolowo with Yorubas, as many are doing now. The character of the Yoruba as an ethnic entity is different from the character of any one of its members or leaders. It is highly irresponsible for anyone to equate Awolowo with the entire Yoruba. Achebe’s comments are about Awo not about the Yoruba!
As a high school student in the 80s when Awo died, one of my teachers brought a newspaper front page article that started with “Awolowo left his marks upon the sands of time”. Those marks or at least some of it are now subjects of intense debates, acrimony and insults. We will let Awolowo answer some of the questions himself through his own speeches, interviews and books where necessary. The subject of starvation, genocide and Biafra were not foreign to him when he was alive. As a participant in an event that continues to dog the nation 45 years after the proclamation of “no victor, no vanquished”, Awo left his marks upon the sands of time.
In his lifetime, Awolowo spoke of role during and after the war. In 1968 he said: “All is fair in war, and starvation is one of the weapons of war. I don't see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight harder."- Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Nigerian Minister of Finance, July 28th 1969). This he repeated in an interview in 1983 posted by the punch newspapers (http://www.punchng.com/news/for-the-record/my-role-in-the-civil-war-awolowo/) buttressing the fact that the Nigerian government of which he was the second in command, and the brain behind its policies pursued a policy of starvation against Biafra. In fact, it was a policy of extermination exemplified by this slogan broadcast from radio Nigeria: “Let us go and crush them. We will pillage their property ravish their womenfolk, murder their menfolk and complete the pogrom of 1966.” [Ojukwu Odumegwu, “Biafra”, p. 228.]. The order from the military commanders was to “shoot anything that moves”. “I want to see no Red Cross, no Caritas, no World Council of Churches, no Pope, no Missionary and no UN Delegation. I want to prevent even one Igbo having one piece to eat before their capitulation. We shoot at everything that moves.” [Benjamin Adekunle, cited in Auberon Waugh and Suzanne Conje, “Biafra, Britain’s Shame”, (London: Tonbridge Ltd, 1969). And what would you say about the 20 pound policy? Awo was not responsible? It is my opinion that the buck stopped at his table. This he affirmed in the above-posted interview, that he signed off on the policy. What was the purpose of the policy? To finish what the war could not-starve the Igbo to death. Was that the position of the Yoruba? No. Was it the position of Awo? Yes!
Now to the civil war and its beginnings, I will comment upon when time and space permits. Nevertheless, it is needful to correct the impression being peddled by many Nigerians that Biafrans started the war. According to Awolowo, “No man can lord beyond his house. A man’s house is his castle. As a matter of fact, the law is- that if a man invades your house and wants to kill you, you can kill him. You don’t want to wait until he kills you or kills your wife or kills your child”. Biafra was not the aggressor, the war was fought in the Biafran homeland and the people killed were Biafrans. If any Nigerian of another tribe/region different from the Eastern Region was killed in the war, it was because they ventured into Biafra as aggressors. Biafra was a child of necessity, an instinct for survival. No Igbo man regrets fighting for Biafra, in a war of survival. Those who fought will fight again given the same set of circumstances, ask anyone of them. And I presume that anyone presented with the same set of circumstances will do the same.
Achebe’s statement on Awolowo will not diminish his achievements in life. It does not add to his failures, although it does call attention to his motives and vision as a Nigerian statesman. Achebe’s motive was not to diminish Awo, but to call attention to the mortal enemy Nigeria is facing – ethnic bigotry from all sides. Where best should we start to heal and confront this enemy if not from the ashes of Biafra?
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