Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said that Biafran Day should not be politicised, describing the day as a period of emotional remembrance for the genocidal onslaught experienced during the Nigerian Civil War.
Governor Otti made this statement through his spokesperson, Ferdinand Ekeoma, on Thursday.
The governor affirmed his administration’s commitment to avoiding confrontation with those calling for a sit-at-home on May 30 to honour the victims of the Nigerian Civil War.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declared a sit-at-home across the Southeast on May 30 to honour Biafran heroes who died during the civil war from 1967 to 1970.
However, the sit-at-home order coincides with the examination schedule for students currently sitting for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.
Otti disclosed that he is in touch with schools to ensure that exam students are not adversely affected, stressing the importance of ensuring that students can write their exams without disruption.
The governor also noted that measures are in place to maintain peace in the state.
Referring to the war as a “genocidal onslaught” and an “emotional period,” Otti underscored the need to handle the situation with “wisdom and diplomacy.”
He said, “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 unnecessary confrontation with the people who are appealing for a sit-at-home in honour of their dead ones. They have every right to mourn their own, especially given the history of that war.
“It’s something we shouldn’t politicise. It was an emotional period when we remember the genocidal onslaught. We don’t have any interest in confronting those who are asking people to observe that moment of honour for those who were victims of the genocidal war.
“It’s something we are handling with wisdom and diplomacy. We are engaging with all the actors involved. We are putting measures in place that the government may not want to make public.
“The most important thing is to see what we can do to ensure that students write their exams. There are things we don’t want to disclose. But be assured that we are putting measures in place to ensure there is peace in Abia State.”
