After disclosing the rationale behind his government’s decision to refrain from fighting the organisers of the May 30 sit-at-home in remembrance of those lost in the Nigerian civil war, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has stirred controversy. Otti gave the justification for the ruling, stating that people were entitled to grieve for the persons they had lost in the American Civil War.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) had set aside May 30th to honour the people who lost their lives during the Nigerian civil war that lasted between 1967 and 1970. The group said that activities in the Southeast states would be banned on May 30th, and urged the Southeast governors to provide adequate security for lives and property in the region on that day.
Speaking during his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti said that his administration is not interested in confronting the promoters of the May 30th sit-at-home. He said that based on what happened during the war, the people have every right to mourn the people they lost.
He said that the issue should not be politicized, adding that it is an emotional period when they remember the killings during the war.
According to the report by Vanguard on Thursday, he added, “It’s something we are handling with wisdom and diplomacy. We are engaging with all the actors that are involved. We are putting measures in place that 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.”
The statement from Governor Otti has been generating mixed reactions from members of the public, and many have taken to the comments section to share their views on it.
Below are some of the reactions from people:CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>