An Igbo group, Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), on Wednesday distanced itself from the May 30, 2025, lockdown declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast region in remembrance of heroes and heroines of the Biafra struggle.

IPOB, in a statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, last week, declared May 30, ?Biafra day? and work work-free day to enable members to celebrate those who died while fighting for the restoration of the Biafra Republic.

It declared that markets, schools, banks, and several other activities should remain closed as a mark of honour to the dead heroes and heroines of Biafra.

Reacting to the development, the Njiko Igbo Forum, in a statement by its National President, Rev Dr Okechukwu Christopher Obioha, stated that IPOB is not a government that should declare such a lockdown or holiday in the Southeast.

?While we give it to IPOB as a harmless and armless support group of the SouthEast called Biafra, we want to distance ourselves from the words and style chosen to honor and remember these, our cherished heroes and heroines,? Obioha said.

?The word ?lockdown? sounds strong, confrontational, and declared imprisonment on the people of the Southeast (Igbo) known as Biafra on that hallowed day of the 30th May, 2025. IPOB is not the government to declare such a holiday or lockdown.

?Before the birth of IPOB, 30th May every year in the past, had solemnly been observed as a significant/remarkable date, and with very remarkable events in different ways voluntarily.

?Biafrans had observed this date by wearing black, putting black ribbons on their left chest breasts and black wrist bands.

?The most notable observation that people made was the three-minute silence that had always been observed by any Igbo in Nigeria by 12 noon on that day, no matter what you are doing and wherever you are. It looked solemn and awesome and peaceful.

?Another major event that was held that day was lectures of a kind in various cities in Nigeria.

?Activities and particularly economic ones are not barred or disrupted. You go to work, market, schools, and any activity of human endeavour, and be conscious of the date but observe three minutes? silence. Three because Igbos will exchange three backhands as in hailing before shaking.?

It argued that declaring a ?lockdown from 6am to 6pm and paralysing economic activities for the 30th May, 2025 is not feasible, as governments of the day will not allow that, and the children and living families of the Heroes and Heroines you are seeking to honor and remember, will be tensed up, deprived freedom of movement and live in hunger.?

Njiko Igbo Forum, therefore, advised IPOB to ?withdraw their press release, reword it, and remove warlike statements and make it friendly and real.

?We strongly advise Nigerians and particularly the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not to be in panic or apprehensive any time they hear the word ?Biafra? identified with the Igbo. The civil war is over, and we are all in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

?We must, however, remind all and sundry that what Arewa is to the Hausa/Fulani of the North, Oduduwa to the Yoruba of the West, is what Biafra is to the Igbo. The word and people of Biafra in Nigeria cannot be wished away or denied.? (The Guardian)

?Supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) (Photo by STEFAN HEUNIS / AFP)

How I transited from Abacha?s friend to prisoner ? Lamido

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has recounted his dramatic journey from being a close ally of the late General Sani Abacha to becoming one of his political detainees. The story, detailed in Chapter 8 of his recently launched autobiography ?Being True To Myself,? was made public on May 13, 2025.

In the chapter titled ?The Abacha Years,? Lamido described his early acquaintance with Abacha, dating back to 1980 during Nigeria?s Second Republic. At the time, Lamido was a member of the House of Representatives, and Abacha, a military officer, frequently visited a mutual friend, Sarki Adamu, at the 1004 Legislative Quarters in Lagos.

?Our relationship was friendly and filled with light-hearted banter,? Lamido wrote. He recalled jokingly telling Abacha he looked destined to lead a coup ? a comment Abacha brushed off, insisting he had no interest in politics.

Years later, after Abacha seized power, Lamido was nominated as a federal government delegate to the National Constitutional Conference. Lamido, who was then in Saudi Arabia, returned to Nigeria and sought clarity on the assignment directly from the Head of State.

According to him, Abacha assured: ?I intend to hand over power. Go there and give us a good national conference, a workable one, so that I can hand over to civilians and happily retire.?

Initially hopeful, Lamido soon became skeptical of Abacha?s true intentions. Amid rising tension and mistrust at the conference?especially from southern delegates still reeling from the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election?Lamido confronted Abacha again to reaffirm his commitment to civilian rule.

?I told him plainly, if he changed his mind about handing over, I would not support him. In fact, I would oppose him,? Lamido recounted. ?He laughed, and we parted on that note?but it seemed that was when the rift began.?

Lamido revealed that as the conference progressed, various political groups were formed. However, while Abacha?s allies successfully registered their parties?including the UNCP, CNC, DPN, GDM, and NCPN?Lamido and others were denied registration. Feeling sidelined, they decided to opt out of the transition programme and notified the regime in writing.

?On the night of our meeting, I was arrested along with Abubakar Rimi. Unknown to us, the State Security Service had been trailing us. As soon as I got home around 10:30 pm, they picked me up,? Lamido wrote.

Despite the ordeal, Lamido?s account offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Abacha?s regime and the courage it took to oppose a powerful military government from within its own circle. (Vanguard)

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