Nigeria FG: Asaba Massacre Reconciliation Declaration Forthcoming

• The Nigerian Federal Government is set to issue a formal reconciliation declaration concerning the 1967 Asaba Massacre.
• Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori announced this at the 59th anniversary memorial, emphasizing the need for federal acknowledgment.
• The Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Azinge, stated that full closure requires a public apology from a sitting Nigerian President.
• Major-General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo (retd.), son of an officer linked to the events, offered a personal apology to the Asaba people.
• Efforts are underway to establish a national memorial to preserve the names, testimonies, and records of the massacre victims.

A formal reconciliation declaration by the Nigerian Government is anticipated, marking a significant step towards acknowledging the 1967 Asaba Massacre.

The Nigerian Federal Government is preparing to issue a formal reconciliation declaration regarding the 1967 Asaba Massacre, an event that saw hundreds of people killed during the Nigerian Civil War. This significant development was announced by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, through his representative, Dr. Kingsley Emu, the Secretary to the State Government, during the 59th anniversary memorial of the tragedy held in Asaba on Wednesday.

Governor Oborevwori emphasized the critical importance of official acknowledgment from the federal government for achieving true reconciliation, noting that Delta State had already recognized the massacre. He expressed optimism that the formal declaration would proceed as hoped, underscoring the state government's unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at securing national recognition for the massacre and establishing a fitting national memorial. The governor stressed that commemorating the tragedy should not be perceived as an attack on Nigeria, but rather as an opportunity to learn from history. He urged that the lessons of the past be embraced, rather than its bitterness, to prevent future conflicts driven by ethnicity, suspicion, or political discord from leading to the killing of innocent individuals.

Despite the impending government acknowledgment, the Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Azinge, articulated the community's stance of forgiveness while firmly stating that the massacre would not be forgotten. He insisted that genuine closure and healing for the Asaba people would remain elusive until a sitting Nigerian President publicly issues an apology. This demand for a direct presidential apology highlights a deeper yearning for accountability beyond a general reconciliation declaration.

Echoing the sentiment for comprehensive justice, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, outlined a necessary sequence for national healing: truth, justice, and restoration must precede forgiveness. Chief Chuks Nduka-Eze, the convener of the memorial and Isama Ajie of Asaba, questioned the nation's failure to fully explain the civilian killings in Asaba, asserting that the central message of the commemoration was that "Nigerian lives matter." These voices collectively underscore the community's desire for a thorough and transparent process that addresses the historical injustices.

The memorial event also featured poignant personal gestures towards reconciliation. Major-General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo (retd.), the son of late Major Ibrahim Taiwo, an Army officer associated with the 1967 events, delivered an emotional apology to the Asaba community. He revealed that he had dedicated years to researching his father's involvement before making the decision to apologize, expressing his hope that this gesture could serve as a step towards broader reconciliation, even though he could not alter past events.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo contributed to the commemoration with a recorded message, describing the Asaba Massacre as one of the most agonizing and unsettling episodes of the Nigerian Civil War. He recounted weeping upon reviewing documents detailing the massacre and implored Nigerians to embrace forgiveness, expressing a fervent wish that such a dark and unpleasant day would never again befall Nigeria or any other part of Africa. These personal reflections from figures connected to the nation's history add a human dimension to the ongoing Nigerian Civil War reconciliation efforts.

The anticipated formal reconciliation declaration by the Nigerian Federal Government regarding the Asaba Massacre signals a significant shift in addressing historical injustices. This move, coupled with the Delta State government's commitment to supporting a national memorial, aims to ensure that the events of 1967 are never forgotten. Dr. Kingsley Emu, the SSG, confirmed that a proposed memorial centre would be established to meticulously preserve the names, testimonies, and records of the victims for future generations, acknowledging the existence of survivors and their invaluable accounts.

This impending government acknowledgment could set crucial precedents for state accountability and influence future policy on reconciliation and reparations in Nigeria. For legal professionals, particularly those in human rights or public law, this development warrants close monitoring as it may open new avenues for historical claims related to the Nigerian Civil War, shaping the discourse around justice for past atrocities and the role of government in national healing.

This impending formal reconciliation declaration by the Nigerian Federal Government regarding the Asaba Massacre signals a significant shift in addressing historical injustices. Lawyers, particularly those in human rights or public law, should monitor this development closely as it could set precedents for state accountability, influence future policy on reconciliation and reparations, and potentially open avenues for historical claims related to the Nigerian Civil War.

Source: Original reporting via Punch