Gowon Responsible for Nigeria’s Destructuring – Chief Malcolm Omirhobo
Chief Malcolm Emokinovo Omirhobo has accused General Yakubu Gowon of being the architect of Nigeria’s current unitary system of government. According to Omirhobo, Gowon, not General Aguiyi-Ironsi, is responsible for the centralisation of power in Nigeria. He asserted that Ironsi’s move to centralize authority was for administrative efficiency, aimed at governing Nigeria with the command structure of the military, unlike the complex democratic system in place. Despite Ironsi’s intentions, he was assassinated by northern forces for his actions.
When Gowon took over as Head of State, Omirhobo claims he misled Nigerians by promising a return to fiscal federalism. Instead, Gowon perpetuated the centralisation of power initiated by Ironsi and even passed decrees that transferred control of Nigeria’s natural resources to the Northern oligarchy and Britain. This move, according to Omirhobo, effectively weakened the regions’ autonomy, placing greater control in the hands of the central government dominated by the North.
Omirhobo credits Gowon for today’s calls for restructuring and resource control in Nigeria, asserting that these ongoing demands stem from the policies implemented during Gowon’s regime.
