The Asaba Development Union (ADU) Worldwide has strongly rejected what it described as attempts to portray the Asaba Memorial Centre, established in honour of victims of the 1967 Asaba Massacre, as the personal property of any individual.
The union, which serves as the umbrella body representing the interests and affairs of the Asaba community, was reacting to statements allegedly made by supporters of former House of Representatives member, Ndudi Elumelu, claiming ownership of the memorial facility.
In a statement jointly signed by the President-General of ADU Worldwide, Ogbueshi C.C. Ashiogwu, and the Chairman of the Asaba Memorial Trust Fund, Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, the community described the claim as misleading and an attempt to appropriate a public memorial built to preserve the memory of victims of the Asaba Massacre.
The statement stressed that the memorial centre was conceived as a sacred monument dedicated to remembrance, healing, and historical preservation for the people of Asaba.
“For the purpose of clarity and to prevent deliberate misinformation, it has become necessary to present the facts regarding the Asaba Memorial Centre,” the statement read.
According to the community leaders, while Hon. Elumelu publicly announced at the time that he facilitated the construction of the monument and museum in honour of victims of the massacre during the Nigerian Civil War, such facilitation does not amount to ownership of the facility.
The ADU noted that the people of Asaba initially welcomed and celebrated the project because it symbolised respect for innocent lives lost during the tragic events of 1967.
The union, however, expressed disappointment that the same project presented as a tribute to the victims was now allegedly being treated as a private or political asset.
The statement further alleged that when members of the community resisted what they described as attempts to politicise or take over the monument, the facility was reportedly handed over to a political support group associated with President Bola Tinubu through his son, Seyi Tinubu.
According to the ADU, such actions raise serious ethical and moral concerns over the use of a monument dedicated to massacre victims for political purposes.
The community leaders also condemned what they described as efforts by political loyalists and media supporters to falsely portray the Asaba people as being opposed to President Tinubu because questions were raised regarding the ownership and use of the memorial facility.
They clarified that the Asaba community is not against the President or his re-election, emphasizing that support for any government should not come at the expense of truth, accountability, and preservation of historical heritage.
“The Asaba Massacre is not a political slogan, campaign material, or private property belonging to any politician. It represents the painful history of the Asaba people and must be treated with dignity and respect,” the statement added.
The community insisted that it would resist any attempt to distort or exploit the memory of massacre victims for political advantage.
ADU Worldwide further disclosed that the community was prepared to pursue all lawful and legitimate measures to ensure that the memorial centre remains under the ownership and control of the Asaba people and continues to serve its original purpose as a monument of remembrance and historical preservation.
According to the statement, available documentation clearly indicates that the memorial belongs to the Asaba community, adding that the people remain committed to reclaiming and protecting the facility for future generations.
