The lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has requested the governors of the South-East region to officially designate May 30 as a public holiday.
This proposal comes in light of IPOB’s call for a sit-at-home directive to honor the millions of South-Easterners who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ejiofor emphasized the significance of the day for reflecting on the historical and ongoing challenges faced by Biafrans in Nigeria.
He highlighted that many of the issues that sparked the Civil War remain unaddressed by current government policies. Ejiofor specifically mentioned the tragic events of October 1967, where more than 6,000 residents of Asaba were killed, urging the government to acknowledge this tragedy.
He criticized the lack of genuine efforts towards post-war reconciliation and reintegration, emphasizing that true healing necessitates recognition and justice for past injustices.
Ejiofor called upon the South-East governors to consider the importance of dedicating May 30 as a public holiday as a meaningful gesture of respect and tribute to Biafran heroes. He drew a comparison with the South-West states’ observance of June 12 to commemorate the annulled 1993 presidential election, which was eventually recognized as a national holiday by the Federal Government in 2019.
Ejiofor argued that a similar recognition for Biafra’s fallen heroes is long overdue. Alongside the holiday declaration, he also appealed for the unconditional release of detained Biafran activists, emphasizing that designating May 30 as a public holiday could help address the grievances of marginalized Southeastern communities.
Ejiofor concluded by urging remembrance of the noble cause for which the fallen heroes and heroines sacrificed their lives, emphasizing justice and dignity over violence or crimes, and calling for prayers for the souls lost during the Civil War and beyond.
