Former Nigerian military leader Yakubu Gowon called the Biafra civil war the “most painful episode in Nigeria’s history.”

However, Gowon insisted that the military kept Nigeria unified during the civil war.

The former leader also affirmed during a speech in Abuja on Wednesday that military dictatorship stifled Nigeria’s democratic advancement and civil liberties.

“On the one hand, the military maintained national unity during the civil war,” Gowon said.

In order to bring the government closer to the people, we established states, constructed infrastructure, and occasionally brought order back when civilian institutions failed.

However, I have to admit that military control hindered the growth of democracy, occasionally infringed upon civil liberties, and established systems that made corruption possible.

Gowon expressed optimism that the Nigerian military will create a brighter democratic future in spite of these setbacks.

Gowon added that an intelligence-driven, technologically advanced force would successfully combat insecurity.

The former head of state also attributed Nigeria’s economic growth and peace to the military’s role.