Asaba Massacre: Obasanjo Urges Reconciliation, Monarch Demands Presidential Apology

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for forgiveness and reconciliation over the 1967 Asaba Massacre, while the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has demanded a public apology from a sitting President of Nigeria.

The positions emerged on Wednesday at the 59th anniversary memorial of the massacre in Asaba, Delta State, where Obasanjo participated virtually as chairman of the occasion.

Obasanjo described the massacre as one of the most painful and terrible episodes of the Nigerian Civil War, saying the war itself was an unfortunate event that should never have occurred.

He said he was deeply moved after receiving documents on the massacre from the convener of the memorial, Chief Chuks Nduka-Eze, and urged the people of Asaba to make forgiveness central to the healing process.

Obasanjo called for reconciliation and a commitment to preventing similar tragedies from occurring again, stressing the importance of forgiveness in the healing process.

However, Azinge said forgiveness should not be confused with forgetting or abandoning demands for accountability.

The monarch said the Asaba community could forgive those associated with the tragedy but maintained that there could be no full closure or healing until a sitting Nigerian President publicly apologised for the 1967 killings.

He noted that former military Head of State, retired General Yakubu Gowon, had previously apologised while out of office, but said the community wanted an acknowledgement from a serving President.

Despite the demand for a presidential apology, Azinge publicly declared that the Asaba community had forgiven the family of late Major Ibrahim Taiwo, whose son, retired Major-General Ahmed Ibrahim Taiwo, attended the memorial.

Taiwo apologised on behalf of his father and family for any act, omission or commission that contributed to the tragedy, describing his gesture as a possible step towards reconciliation.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, said the Federal Government was expected to make a formal reconciliation declaration over the massacre.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, also called for truth, justice, restoration and healing, saying forgiveness should follow those steps.

The memorial organisers said preparations were underway for the 60th anniversary next year, including efforts to establish a permanent memorial centre for remembrance, documentation and education.