Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said his government has no desire to engage in needless conflict with those behind the May 30 Sit-At-Home memorials for victims of the Nigerian civil war.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other separatist groups in SouthEast Nigeria insist on using every 30th May as Biafra Day in honour of about 3.5 million people who died in the three-year Nigeria-Biafra war of 1967-1970.
Mr. Otti said his government believes people have the right to grieve for their departed loved ones, moreso in a democracy.
He however emphasized the government’s proactive stance on protecting young school pupils sitting for crucial West African Examination Council, (WAEC), exams today.
“We don’t have any interest confronting those who are asking people to observe that moment of honour for those who were victims of the genocidal war”.
– Gov. Otti of Abia State
He said his government was taking measures to engage all stakeholders and ensure that while those commemorating were free to do so, school children taking the sub-regional exams were unhindered.
”The Government is in touch with all the schools affected to see what could be done so that WAEC exams are not disrupted. We are in touch with schools on how to handle the situation.
”We are not interested in an unnecessary confrontation with the people who are appealing for sit-at-home in honor of their dead ones. They have every right to mourn their own especially going by the history of that war”, the governor said.
Gov. Otti warned against the politicization of such a monumental ”genocidal onslaught” levied against the Southeast people of Nigeria during that “emotional period” in Nigeria’s long and chequered history.
He said his government was navigating the complex situation with ”wisdom and diplomacy” by engaging “all the actors that are involved.”
IPOB is led by incarcerated leader, Nnamdi Kanu. He is currently standing trial on terrorism-related charges at Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja.
Most streets in the towns and cities of SouthEast appear to have been deserted as residents preferred to ere on the side of caution and stay off the streets.
Please comment and share this article, & Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
Finally, Abia State, the Eastern states and ala Igbo has a leader who is intelligent , focus on the gigantic projects at hand, and has wisdom to navigate complex issues. Wow! Kudos to the best governor yet HE Alex Otti! Ride on Sir! You are a true leader.