Why Crediting Ojukwu with Releasing Awolowo Is Misleading

Many supporters of Colonel Ojukwu claim he freed Chief Awolowo from prison after the Biafran secession. A closer look at the timeline shows it was General Gowon who issued the release order as soon as he took office. If the Eastern Region had truly seceded after General Ironsi’s assassination, all federal prisoners would have been automatically freed under a new regime. Yet other jailed officers—like Colonel Victor Banjo and the initial coup plotters—were not credited to Biafra. Awolowo’s release followed Gowon’s decree, not Ojukwu’s will. It makes little sense to give Ojukwu credit for an action he refused when in power. Instead of spreading myths, we should focus on real events, such as how the Eastern government provided income support for Mrs. H.I.D. Awolowo during her husband’s imprisonment.

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