The NEC of South-East Revival Group (SERG) and the Coalition of Eastern Human Rights and Pro-democracy Activists (CEHRAPA) have demanded the declaration of a public holiday to honour pro-Biafra agitators who died in the struggle.

According to a statement issued on Saturday, signed by SERG National Coordinator/President, Eze Willy Ezugwu, and CEHRAPA National Coordinator, Comrade Chukwunwendu Ezeagu, the decision was reached at a joint emergency meeting to discuss the Press Statements issued by both the Nigeria Police and the South East Governors on the proposed Sit-at-home protest being organised pro-Biafra groups – IPOB, MASSOB and BIM to commemorate their fallen heroes and heroines.

The statement reads: “After the deliberations on the draconian content of the said Press Statements the NEC of our organisations thereby condemn in strong terms the illegal plan and threat by the Nigeria security agents, especially the Nigerian Police, to ‘clampdown on and deal decisively’ with the peaceful IPOB/MASSOB/BIM members who have chosen to exercise their constitutional and internationally guaranteed fundamental human rights with their proposed Sit-at-home protest on May 30, 2017 meant to commemorate the fallen Biafran heroes and heroines.

“We therefore wish to remind the Nigeria security agents that by virtue of Chapter IV, particularly sections 35, 38, 39 & 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as the relevant sections of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) the members of IPOB/MASSOB/BIM have the right to hold their proposed Sit-at-home protest on May 30, 2017 to commemorate the fallen Biafran heroes and heroines without intimidation, harassment or hindrance by anyone, including security agents.

“We therefore demand that the Federal Government should immediately call the Nigeria security agents, especially the Inspector General of Police to order and restrain them from disturbing the members of IPOB/MASSOB/BIM or other members of the public who wish to participate in the scheduled event, including in their proposed Sit-at-home protest. The security agents should rather assist these organisations to ensure that the events are successfully and peacefully held across the country as planned.

“On the other hand, we further condemn the repulsive and despicable Press Statement by the South-East Governors who rather than see to the success of the historic event meant to mark the 50 years of the avoidable Biafran genocide and to commemorate the Biafrans, chose to cowardly and treacherously blackmail and harass the members of IPOB/MASSOB/BIM.

“We therefore call on the South-East and South-South Governors to declare May 30th, 2017 as Public Holiday (which has to be hence an annual observation) across their various states, under Section 2(2) Public Holidays Act CAP 378 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to ensure that the proposed sit-at-home and other events lined up for the commemoration of this sad but historic events and in the remembrance of the innocent victims, the Heroes and Heroines therein are peacefully and successfully held on the said date without anyone or group being harassed by the Nigeria security agents.

“Finally, while we call on the international community to take note of this ugly development and caution the Nigeria security agents we urge all the members of the public, including IPOB/MASSOB/BIM as well as the international community to support and participate actively in the proposed legal, constitutional and commendable historic event on May 30, 2017 to ensure that it is successful and peaceful without fear or hindrance.”

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