Retired General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former Head of State, has emphasized that the country must leave military governance in the past, insisting that democracy, despite its flaws, remains the best path for national progress.
Speaking in Abuja at the unveiling of a book titled “Military Factor in Nigerian History, 1960–2018”;;—launched by the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN) as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations—Gowon reflected on the military’s complex role in shaping Nigeria’s trajectory.
“The era of military governance is and must remain behind us. Democracy, despite its imperfections, provides the best framework for national development and popular participation,”;; Gowon declared.
He urged the armed forces to focus strictly on their constitutional responsibilities:
“The armed forces must fully embrace their constitutional role as defenders of the nation’s territorial integrity, not as administrators or political actors.”;;
Gowon, who chaired the book presentation, described the military’s role in Nigerian history as a “complex narrative”;;—neither purely heroic nor villainous—but one closely tied to the nation’s journey.
“With the wisdom that comes from age and reflection, I believe the answer lies somewhere in between. On one hand, the military preserved national unity during the civil war.
“We built infrastructure, created states to bring the government closer to the people, and at times restored order when civilian structures faltered.
“Our armed forces have distinguished themselves in peacekeeping operations across Africa and beyond.”;;
Yet, he acknowledged the downsides of military rule:
“On the other hand, I must acknowledge that military rule stifled democratic development, sometimes violated civil liberties, and created structures that enabled corruption.
“The interruption of our democratic journey in 1966, 1983, and the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections represented dark chapters in our history that we must confront honestly.
“However, by acknowledging these mistakes, we pave the way for a brighter, more democratic future.”;;
Gowon also spoke about the Nigerian Civil War, calling it the country’s most painful chapter:
“It was the most painful episode in Nigeria history, but one ultimately reaffirmed our commitment to national unity.”;;
On today’s security concerns, Gowon called for a modern, intelligence-driven military, integrated into civilian life:
“The military should not stand apart from the people but should be seen as an essential component of the national fabric, working in tandem with civilian authorities.”;;
He emphasized the need for the military to continue strengthening both national defence and regional security.
