Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has appealed to survivors and families of victims of the 1967 Asaba Massacre to embrace forgiveness and reconciliation.
Obasanjo made the appeal on Wednesday while participating virtually as chairman of the occasion at the 59th anniversary memorial of the massacre in Asaba.
He described the massacre as one of the most painful and tragic episodes of the Nigerian Civil War, saying the events of the period were unfortunate and should never be allowed to happen again.
Obasanjo disclosed that he wept after receiving documents detailing the massacre from Chief Chuks Nduka-Eze.
Addressing those gathered at the memorial, he said: “To all of you assembled: let us keep one thing in mind, forgiveness, forgiveness, and forgiveness again.”
He urged the people of Asaba to forgive and pursue reconciliation, stressing the importance of ensuring that similar tragedies never happen again.
However, the Asagba of Asaba, His Majesty Epiphany Azinge, said while the people could forgive, they would not forget what happened.
The monarch maintained that genuine closure and healing would remain elusive until a sitting President of Nigeria publicly apologised to the people of Asaba.
“We may not forget, but certainly, we have to forgive,” Azinge said, adding that former military Head of State, retired General Yakubu Gowon, had already apologised while out of office.
“We need a sitting president to apologise to Asaba people; that will bring closure,” the traditional ruler said.
Azinge also questioned Obasanjo's appeal for the nation to ensure that such tragedies never happen again, recalling the killing of civilians in Odi, Bayelsa State, during Obasanjo's tenure as President.
“Coming from him, I was a bit taken aback. How long do we say ‘never again’? But it happened at Odi,” he said.
The Asaba Massacre occurred during the Nigerian Civil War and remains one of the most painful episodes in the history of the community. The annual memorial provides an opportunity for families of victims and community leaders to remember those who lost their lives and renew calls for reconciliation and justice.