The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has alleged that Britain harbored resentment against Igbos due to their pivotal role in the 1929 women riot and Nigeria's independence movement, which later influenced events leading to the Nigerian Civil War.

IWA President Nneka Chimezie, in a statement issued in Umuahia, claimed that the 1929 women riot against harsh colonial policies in Aba and other parts of Igboland sparked the campaign for Nigeria's independence, earning British animosity toward the Igbo people.

"Remember that it was the Aba women riot that sparked the campaign for the British to leave Nigeria, and Britain was yet to forgive the Igbo for that," Chimezie stated. "So, the coup presented them with an opportunity to punish the Igbo and cause disunity in Nigeria so that the 1960 political independence of the country would be a mess."

Civil War Could Have Been Avoided

The women's group further argued that the Nigerian Civil War could have been averted if General Yakubu Gowon had continued the reconciliation efforts initiated by General Aguiyi Ironsi following the 1966 coup.

"After the 1966 coup, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi as Head of State, was busy going up and down trying to reconcile Nigeria. If it was truly an Igbo coup contrary to misconceptions, he would have simply taken advantage of it to declare Igbo Republic," Chimezie explained.

She added: "Again, if indeed it was an Igbo coup, it wouldn't have been foiled by an Igbo. It was in one of those efforts to reconcile Nigeria that Aguiyi Ironsi was killed in Ibadan and Gowon took over."

Aburi Accord and Post-War Policies

The IWA expressed regret that Gowon's rejection of the regional government proposal at the Aburi peace talks, as advocated by the Old Eastern region delegation, missed an opportunity to address Nigeria's structural challenges that continue to fuel restructuring demands today.

Chimezie also criticized post-war policies that contradicted Gowon's "No Victor, No Vanquished" declaration, particularly the issuance of only 20 pounds in exchange for all Igbo-owned currency and the refusal to reabsorb Igbos into the federal civil service.

These historical grievances, according to the IWA, continue to shape Nigeria's political landscape and inter-ethnic relations decades after the events occurred.

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