Ojukwu's refusal to recognize Gowon fueled Nigerian Civil War, says Abubakar

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu refused to recognize Yakubu Gowon as the head of state following the July 1966 counter-coup in Nigeria, according to Abubakar. Ojukwu's refusal stemmed from his belief that leadership should have passed to Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, who was the most senior officer after the previous head of state, Aguiyi-Ironsi, was killed.

This assertion by Ojukwu was a critical point of contention in the events leading up to the Nigerian Civil War. By challenging Gowon's legitimacy and insisting on a different line of succession based on military rank, Ojukwu introduced a significant political and military deadlock.

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, lasted from 1967 to 1970. It was a devastating conflict with immense loss of life and widespread destruction, primarily fought between the government of Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafra, led by Ojukwu.

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Ojukwu refused to recognise the new head of state, insisting that in the absence of Aguiyi-Ironsi, the next in command was Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe