The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has ordered a sit-at-home on May 30 to honor the 58th anniversary of the declaration of the Independent State of Biafra without street marching, public gathering, or demonstrations.
MASSOB’s current leader, Uchenna Madu, in a statement through the National Director of Information, Samuel Edeson, announced that this year marks the 58th anniversary of Biafra’s declaration by Ojukwu. He noted that, in the spirit of Biafran unity and solidarity, they have declared the 2025 commemoration of the Biafra Anniversary with a voluntary sit-at-home exercise.
“MASSOB declares that all markets, public/private motor parks, schools, banks, and other public business premises shall remain closed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 30, 2025.”
Edeson emphasized that the closure of public places on May 30 is intended to honor the sacrifices made by their forebears during the three-year war of genocide against Biafra.
“As a non-violent organization, Biafrans shall not be compelled, pressurized, or forced to observe the stay-at-home exercise, and there would be no physical demonstrations, street marches, or public gatherings across Biafran land on May 30, 2025.”
He added that intimidation, oppression, or incarceration would not deter the spirit and determination of the Biafran people towards self-determination.
On May 30, 1967, the late Biafran leader, Lt. Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, with the mandate of the Eastern Nigeria House of Assembly, declared the secessionist Republic of Biafra from Nigeria, igniting the Nigerian Civil War which resulted in the loss of over three million lives from the Eastern region that constituted the Biafra Republic.
The Biafran Republic surrendered on January 12, 1970, signaling the end of the civil war and the reunification of Eastern Nigeria with the rest of the country.
The agitation for the restoration of the Biafra Republic resurfaced in 1999, with MASSOB initiating the movement under the leadership of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.