Politics
By Benprince Ezeh
DESPITE the warnings by state governors in the southeast against sitting at home every Monday, many residents still observed the sit-at-home order on Friday, October 1, which is Nigeria’s Independence Day anniversary. This development is a reflection of the poor state of socio-political affairs in the South East.
This stay-at-home order on Friday was a response to the statement issued by Emma Powerful, spokesman for the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Saturday, September 25. According to him, IPOB has declared the commencement of “operation no Nigerian flag begins in Biafra land from October 1, saying that the sit-at-home order is declared to celebrate Independence Anniversary.
“IPOB has declared 1st of October 2021 total shutdown in Biafra land as a sign of our rejection of the evil construct called Nigeria and there shall be no movement in Biafra land on this day.
“Also, IPOB has declared from today 25th September 2021 that all Nigerian flag mounted anywhere in Biafra land must be brought down, Banks exceptional, IPOB leadership will communicate to Banks directly and give them the reason they must peacefully bring down Nigerian flag in their banking premises before we do it ourselves in our own way.
“Everybody must strictly adhere to this directive from IPOB leadership, we want to let the world know that Biafraland is not Nigeria and shall not be. Don’t say I don’t know, a word is enough for the wise, “the statement said.
Many residents in the southeast obeyed this either because they believe in it or fear of what would happen to them if they fail to observe the order.
In the South East, the streets were deserted and nobody was able to move by vehicle.
Favour Ezeagu, a resident in the urban part of Enugu said that people stayed home today.
“However, people are allowed to move about, but no vehicle is on the road. Everybody is scared of being victims of stray bullets.
Grace Ugbor, a resident in Anambra state said that they were all afraid because, after the killing of Chike Akunyili, husband to late Prof Dora Akunyili, former minister of information, people are afraid to go out.
The last thing we heard on September 30 was the burning of Ajali police station in Anambra state and the killing of two policemen by unknown gunmen.
“If it were to be you, would you go out after hearing something like that? See, students of the Oko Polytechnic are afraid and refused to go out because you won’t know what would happen next.
“For me, I am in my house and won’t go out for anything,” she said.
Meanwhile, outside the southeast, many residents of neighbouring states have expressed different views on the stay-at-home order every Monday.
Fredrick Oshioguemho, a resident of Benin, Edo state explained that it has affected businesses as people cannot go to Anambra state for business on Monday.
“Yes it is affecting most of us economically because our people who go businesses in the eastern part of the country can’t do so anymore without fear of uncertainty,” he said.
According to him, it has resulted in the high cost of goods from that part of the country.
“It has impacted on the price of goods made in the eastern part of the country.
“For me, it affects the entire nation to be candid,” he said. However, many residents outside the eastern part of the country are not aware of this sit-at-home order.
For Andrew, who is a resident in Warri, Delta state said that he hasn’t even noticed it where he is. “To be honest, nobody is even saying that here, we do our daily businesses and it is very normal.
“For my brother who works in the bank, he goes to work every Monday like usual with no stress and comes back. Maybe it affects some people here but not me or people I know of,” he said.
Christian Amodu, a resident of Gboko in Benue state, said that they don’t travel to that side for business. “We do mostly our businesses in the north. I buy my goods from Jos and they are normally without stress.
“I do hear about the sit-at-home in the east, but I think it’s uncalled for because, to be honest with you, the Nigerian government doesn’t care and they won’t even blink an eye towards that.
“The best thing for the Igbos is to go back to their normal businesses and take care of their families, this government has less than two years to stay and they would leave, the Igbos should find a worthy candidate to present as the next president of Nigeria,” Amodu said.
All these are happening because of the ill-treatment of Nnamdi Kanu, who was rearrested and allegedly brought back to Nigeria from Kenya on June 27, 2021, and detained at the Department of State Services, DSS, facility in Abuja.
He is facing trial for terrorism, treasonable felony, and illegal possession of firearms. The trial of Kanu is expected to hold on October 21.
First published – Oct. 01, 2021 @ 20:30 GMT | C.E
Tags: Emma Powerful IPOB sit-at-home
