Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, the lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called on South-East governors to designate May 30 as a public holiday. Ejiofor stated that this date is crucial for commemorating the over five million South Easterners who lost their lives during the Biafra-Nigeria war, which spanned from July 6, 1967, to January 15, 1970.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Ejiofor highlighted the importance of the day for honoring the fallen heroes and heroines of Biafra. He urged the public to use the day for reflection on the ongoing issues faced by Biafrans within Nigeria, noting that the root causes of the Biafran war still persist in current government policies.
Ejiofor also drew attention to the massacre of over 6,000 men in Asaba between October 4 and 7, 1967, stressing that Nigeria has a moral duty to acknowledge this tragedy. He criticized the lack of genuine efforts towards post-war reconstruction, reintegration, and reconciliation, arguing that these processes are essential for healing.
Comparing the situation to the South-West states' recognition of June 12 as a public holiday to honor the annulled 1993 Presidential election won by the late MKO Abiola, Ejiofor noted that the federal government eventually followed suit in 2019. He suggested that a similar recognition for May 30 in the South-East could lead to broader national acknowledgment.
Furthermore, Ejiofor called on the federal government to release detained Biafran activists, asserting that this would help mitigate the feelings of marginalization among Biafrans and support their reintegration into the Nigerian state. He also mentioned the potential for a United Nations-supervised referendum to determine the future of Biafrans.
Ejiofor concluded by urging prayers for the fallen heroes, emphasizing that they died for a noble cause and not for criminal activities like kidnapping or rape. He reiterated the importance of honoring their memory and the cause for which they fought.
