Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has stated that his administration will not engage in unnecessary confrontation with promoters of the May 30 sit-at-home in honor of those killed during the Nigerian civil war.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti emphasized that people have the right to mourn their dead.
He noted the government’s efforts to ensure that students taking the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams are not adversely affected.
Ekeoma stated, ”Government is in touch with all the schools affected to see what could be done so that WAEC exams are not disrupted. We are in touch with schools on how to handle the situation.
”We are not interested in unnecessary confrontation with the people who are appealing for sit- at-home in honour of their dead ones. They have every right to mourn their own, especially going by the history of that war.
”It’s something we shouldn’t politicize. It was an emotional period when we remember the genocidal onslaught. We don’t have any interest in confronting those who are asking people to observe that moment of honour for those who were victims of the genocidal war.
”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 the 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,’’ otti added.
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