Politics
By Benprince Ezeh
DESPITE the warnings by state governors in the South East against sitting at home every Monday, many residents still observed the usual sit-at-home order on Monday.
The sit-at-home order by IPOB began on August 6, 2021.
The exercise, which has recorded wide compliance throughout the zone, has been criticized by many stakeholders and some governors from the zone, describing it as ‘anti-economic and anti-people, and called on the people to go back to their normal Monday life.
Some residents have argued that the exercise has continued for this long due to the fact that the people are afraid of being attacked by enforcers of the sit-at-home order.
Realnews, which monitored some states in the South East reports that most streets were deserted, while banks, offices, schools, and major markets were closed.
Favour Ezeagu, a resident of Enugu said that it was as usual but for schools, she was convinced it was because they have not reopened. “You should know, as usual, nobody would even dare to open or risk the consequence.
“In my area and almost everyone I know said they were at home and didn’t even move out. My parents did open their shops as usual and major markets, offices, banks were all closed,” she said.
Another resident in Enugu that simply wants to be identified as Ifebuche, said that these days, Mondays are an extension of Sundays. “We use Monday to enjoy ourselves, many even rest on Sundays and use Mondays for drinking and enjoyment.
“No bank, school, or even our markets opened. We bought everything we need for the weekend and that of Monday on Saturday because we know nobody would open,” she said.
In Anambra State, some eateries and small markets were opened, unlike last week.
Miss Rita, who manages one of the eateries, said that she went to work on Monday and her staffs were present as well. “We opened and I am at work now, but a little bit late because I went for a workout due to deserted streets in the morning.
“But for banks and schools, they didn’t open due to fear of what would happen, even though the governor warned that they should operate, many defied that,” she said.
Meanwhile, IPOB has urged southeasterners to sit at home on October 1, which is Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary Day.
IPOB said the October 1 sit-at-home was to show its rejection of Nigeria and all that the country stood for.
According to a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful on Saturday, September 25, 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 Ambazonia 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.
Realnews reports that Nnamdi Kanu, who was rearrested and brought back to Nigeria on June 27, 2021, after his purported extraordinary rendition and detained at the Department of State Services, DSS facility in Abuja is currently facing trial after he had been charged with terrorism, treasonable felony and illegal possession of firearms.
The trial of Kanu is expected to hold on October 21.
First published – Sept. 28, 2021 @ 19:08 GMT | C.E
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