Aburi Accord: What really happened in Ghana in January 1967?

On January 4 and 5, 1967, delegates and representatives from both the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Eastern Region, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Emeka Ojukwu, met in Aburi, Ghana to agree on what is now known as the Aburi Accord.

The meeting at Aburi was supposed to be the last opportunity to avoid any conflict or civil war. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

So, what really happened in Aburi in 1967 that eventually led to the Nigerian Civil War? This is the full story… #HistoryVille #AburiAccord

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Video Credits: Nigeria History Channel, Adeyinka Makinde

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:50 The Genesis of the Aburi Accord

02:18 The Significance of the July 29,1966, Coup

03:36 On the Road to Aburi

05:05 The Significance of Aburi

06:18 The Brothers’ Palaver

07:30 Why the Aburi Accord Failed

10:10 The Role of the Permanent Secretaries

14:07 Decree No. 8

18:52 Why Nigeria’s 12 states were created

21:08 Ojukwu Declares Biafra

23:18 Gowon announces the creation of Nigeria’s 12 states

26:44 Gowon announces the beginning of the Nigerian Civil War

27:50 Philip Effiong declares an end to the Republic of Biafra

28:44 Next Video

[uchennasampson]

Ojukwu was really an Igbo man to the core. We deeply rever you. You're forever our legend.

[oluwaseyiajibade]

Great work HistoryVille! Comparing Ojukwu's demeanor with Gowon's, you would know he meant business and wasn't in Aburi to play. He came with a great retinue of legal, political and economic experts. A great lesson for leadership, you don't come to the negotiating table unprepared and laughing casually after making far reaching decisions

[pearlshoregemsstudio]

These videos are epic to anyone studying leadership and power. While Gowon was in a conciliatory mood, laughing awkwardly, back slapping ojukwu in a patronizing manner, Ojukwu was cool, standoffish, indirectly posturing that he was still superior to these young officers. The others came unprepared, aiming for a brotherly, off the cuff negotiation, ojukwu was well prepared, had done his homework and did not come to play. In the end he got what he came for and the Gowon delegates only realized what they signed for after the wine had cleared from their eyes and they had returned home. They signed an agreement they couldn't keep, paving the way for further events that led to the war.

[Umu_Eri]

Very good video, the depth of what happened before the civil war was never well explored in school

[mazzoanV]

Imo Gowan agreed to the terms but then he got a phone call from Downing Street telling him to go back his words promising him military support

[antoniomontana]

Ojukwu strong man
Can't stop the red light
Rugged...

[ugochukwuumeaku]

Thank you @historyville.
Good one.
You promised us more of Nigerian history this year.
So I am expecting more.
Thank you once again.

[RayOfLetsatsi]

The difference in Gowon & Ojukwu 's body languages & demeanor says so much.

[solomon]

You're great man, my friend. Thanks for the documentation!

[ArtfulDodger]

"No power in africa can stop us". Im stunned by the scale Ojukwu's hubris here. At the time he made d statement, his Biafra's army was numerically outnumbered, outgunned, outmanned, and the western powers especially the United Kingdom were backing Nigeria's army and presumably would have supplied Gowon's army with modern equipments, tanks, jets, artillery and unlimited credit to buy as many war equipment as needed to crush the rebellion. For anyone that can do simple math and put thier ego aside the defeat was inevitable. Im stunned by his incalculable error that cost millions of lives of his people and further weakened thier position within Nigeria. Its an unfortunate tragedy. On a sidenote, Gowon was a fool for not reading documents he was signing at the Aburi accords. As a leader, his failure to pay attention to the details Aburi accords contributed to the misunderstanding that precipitated the war.

[bantoubantu]

I don't know what joke Gen. Gowon made at 9:11 but judging from the reactions of the men in the background it must have been very funny, it even managed to get a smile out of Ojukwu.

That said, it is visible in the general body language displayed that the only serious person at Aburi was Ojukwu, the others were just about laughter and merry making. Sadly, the events that ensued afterwards were disastrous.

[ucheakobundu]

Ojukwu did not ‘claim’, he was really not safe anywhere outside eastern Nigeria.

[odiodi]

He (Gowon) declared a State of Emergency in the East, which according to Aburi was unconstitutional since only the unified Military Council could do that. In the same hour he published a decree abolishing the regions dividing Nigeria into twelve states, also unconstitutional since the constitution (pre-Aburi and still in force) required multi-lateral consultation on internal border changes…”
Frederick Forsyth in his book “Emeka”, page 91, first published in 1982.

[majorbomb]

Ojukwu was very serious and ready for his easting region

[odiodi]

The Biafran Revolution stands firmly against Genocide - against any attempt to destroy a people, its security, its right to life, property and progress. Any attempt to deprive a community of its identity is abhorrent to the Biafran people. Having ourselves suffered genocide, we are all the more determined to take a clear stand now and at all times against this crime.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in Ahiara Declaration in Ahiara, Biafra, Sunday June 1, 1969.

[adesegunadedoyin]

Analysis soo apt and great. Keep up the good work.

[africanday]

What was agreed in Aburi which Gowon turned 360 degree to trash is the same regional autonomy/restructuring South-West leaders are clamoring today.

[nnamdinwuchukwu]

Forbidden history unearthed against the sophistory of ignorance and escapism. Viva Negritude Banner!

[vitalisogbonnanwankwo]

Ojukwu is a gem. He is prepared honestly. If say he appeared for meeting with gowon in Nigeria, they might eliminate him.

[ukamaka]

“…why Gowon HAD to break his promise.” Who picked that guy for head of state?