Obasanjo Calls for Forgiveness at Asaba Massacre Memorial

On October 7, 2026, former President Olusegun Obasanjo participated virtually as chairman at the 59th anniversary memorial of the 1967 Asaba Massacre, urging survivors and victims' families to embrace forgiveness and reconciliation. He described the massacre as a painful aspect of the Nigerian Civil War and emphasized the importance of preventing such tragedies in the future.

The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, responded by stating that while forgiveness is possible, the community would not forget the tragedy and insisted that a sitting president must publicly apologize to the people of Asaba for true closure. Azinge recalled that former military Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, had previously apologized while out of office.

He also expressed surprise at Obasanjo's "never again" appeal, referencing the Odi killings during Obasanjo's presidency. Despite the demand for an apology, Azinge proclaimed forgiveness for the family of Col. Ibrahim Taiwo, accepting an apology from retired Maj. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo on behalf of his father.