Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has stated that his administration is not interested in unnecessary confrontation with the promoters of the May 30 sit-at-home in honor of those killed during the Nigerian Civil War. Speaking with Vanguard in Umuahia, the Governor said that people have the right to mourn their dead.
Governor Otti, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, emphasized that the government is in touch with schools to ensure that students currently sitting for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams are not adversely affected. He stated that the government is engaging with all parties to ensure that the academic interests of WAEC candidates are not compromised.
He said: “The government is in touch with all the schools affected to see what can 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 a sit-at-home in honor of their dead ones. They have every right to mourn their own, especially given 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 honor 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 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.”