Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has revealed that the Igbos supported the Unification Decree No. 34 of 1966, which decreed Nigeria a unified country and government.

The decree was issued by the General Aguiyi Ironsi government before the coup that overthrew him.

According to Gowon, in his book, My Life of Duty & Allegiance, the decree created fear among other Nigerians who saw it as an attempt by Igbos to dominate them in Nigeria.

Gowon explained, “First, it should be remembered that Gen Ironsi had, by the Unification Decree No. 34 of 1966, decreed Nigeria a unified country and government. That Decree created a lot of fears everywhere in Nigeria.

“The Midwest may have found it a bit non-threatening because the Region had always believed in one Nigeria. In the Eastern Region, everyone appeared to have warmly received it.

“This may have been because people from the region were the ones who advised Ironsi to carry through his programme and, consequently, were the ones in charge.”

According to him, the implementation of the Decree encouraged the posting of people from one part of the country to assume superior offices in other parts.

In the North, the Midwest and the West, the implementation of the decree further fuelled the fear of Eastern domination, Gowon said.

“On coming to power, I restored the federal system of government by abrogating the Unification Decree,” Gowon affirmed.