FACT CHECK: No Evidence Governor Umo Eno Declared Biafra Day Holiday in Akwa Ibom

In a wave of social media claims, a viral Facebook post alleged that Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno officially recognized May 30 as Biafra Remembrance Day in the state, but investigations have found no evidence to support this assertion.

The widely shared post, which has accumulated over 2,900 likes and 800 comments, features an image of Governor Eno alongside President Bola Tinubu and a Biafran flag. It attributes statements to Eno suggesting he identifies as Igbo and references his father’s purported involvement in the Nigerian Civil War, which raged from 1967 to 1970.

The claim sparked varied reactions among social media users, with some expressing enthusiasm while others referenced the historical role of Akwa Ibom communities during the bloody conflict that followed the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the Republic of Biafra.

May 30 has become a significant date for pro-Biafra organizations, who observe it annually to commemorate those who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War. However, it holds no status as an official public holiday in Nigeria, though groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has been proscribed by the Nigerian government, continue to mark the occasion.

Fact-checkers at CableCheck conducted a thorough review of the Akwa Ibom state government’s official social media channels and found no announcement regarding the establishment of May 30 as either a public holiday or remembrance day in the state. Additionally, no credible media organizations have reported such a development.

Political analysts note that the claim appears particularly dubious given Akwa Ibom’s geographical and cultural positioning. Unlike Nigeria’s southeastern states where Biafra-related sentiments and agitations maintain a stronger presence, Akwa Ibom is not traditionally associated with the core of the pro-Biafra movement.

Further investigation revealed that this is not the first time such claims have circulated. Similar posts appeared in 2023, suggesting a pattern of recurring misinformation surrounding this sensitive historical and political issue.

The Nigerian Civil War remains a delicate subject in the country’s political landscape. The conflict, which resulted in an estimated one to three million deaths—many from starvation—ended with the surrender of Biafran forces in January 1970. Since then, various groups have continued to advocate for Biafran independence, with IPOB being among the most prominent in recent years.

Efforts to secure official comment from Governor Eno’s administration were unsuccessful. CableCheck attempted to reach Ekeretta Udoh, the governor’s chief press secretary, but his phone was switched off at the time of inquiry.

The spread of such unverified claims highlights ongoing challenges with misinformation in Nigeria’s digital space, particularly around emotionally charged historical events and ethno-political issues. Social media platforms continue to serve as fertile ground for the rapid dissemination of unsubstantiated information.

In recent years, Nigerian authorities have increasingly stressed the importance of national unity and cohesion, often viewing separatist agitations with concern. Official recognition of Biafra Remembrance Day by a state governor would represent a significant and controversial policy shift.

Based on the available evidence, there is no factual basis for the claim that Governor Umo Eno has approved May 30 as Biafra Remembrance Day in Akwa Ibom State.