Southeast governors cannot wait to see an end to the Monday sit-at-home.
While they continue to seek solutions, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has asked those behind the recurring exercise to stop it.
Kanu, who spoke through his lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), in a video clip, said he does not believe in the sit-at-home.
He insisted he could not be fighting for his people and, at the same time, shutting down their economy.
He lamented the effects of the sit-at-home on the social, economic, cultural and political life of the people, saying it has put the Igbo under psychological, physical and mental stricture.
Ozekhome said in the clip: “As his lead counsel and lawyer, he has told me he does not believe in the sit-at-home; he cannot be fighting for his people and shutting down their economy. How do they feed? How will they train their children?
“Many a time, he cried to me that he wants to be released so that he can hold a world press conference and address the Igbo and Ala Igbo, and the entire world to say: ‘don’t stay at home on Mondays, go about your normal duties, go to work; because the Bible tells us it is upon the labour of your hands, I will bless the fruits of your labour’.
“So, I am now re-echoing again and again what Nnamdi Kanu has told me – he does not believe in the sit-at-home on Mondays which cripples the social, economic, cultural and political life of the people, putting them under psychological, psychical and mental stricture and torture.”
The Enugu State government yesterday sealed businesses which did not open in the state capital. Residents also trooped out to protest against the order.
Governor Peter Mbah, on June 5, banned the Monday sit-at-home and urged residents to go about their legitimate duties freely. He also threatened to shut down businesses which continued to obey the order.
But the people have continued to sit at home on Mondays.
Officials of the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) moved around parts of the state and sealed businesses that refused to open, in compliance with the governor’s order.
Some shops were ‘sealed with immediate effect’ at the Spar and Polo Malls, among other places that refused to open for business.
This caused a spike in activities in major markets as traders rushed to open their shops.
Traders at the Ogbete main market, New Market, Kenyetta, and Artisan markets quickly opened their shops for business. There were also improved vehicular movements in the city centre, and security officials increased at checkpoints.
Meanwhile, the residents gathered under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society groups, as early as 8 a.m., and marched around the state capital to encourage the people to return to their businesses.
Led by Mrs. Oninye Mammah, Bismark Oji, Charles Ogbu and Eberechukwu Anigbo, the protesters carried banners with inscriptions like ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Say no to Sit-at-Home in Enugu’; ‘Enugu people must be freed from the shackles of those who want to hold it down’, among others.
They also sang solidarity songs in support of Governor Mbah and against the sit-at-home, as they marched through major roads and streets and converged on Michael Okpara Square.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Emmanuel Ede described the protest march as ‘heartwarming’.
He said it was an indication that residents were no longer comfortable with the forced sit-at-home.
He added: “There is no better way to show support for what the governor is doing to end the sit-at-home than this march. It is a way to boost people’s confidence to go about their businesses.
“The government has done much to ensure the safety and well-being of the people, yet some residents still stay indoors on Monday for fear of attack.
“So this is telling them that we are solidly behind the government on this.”
The Executive Director of Heroine Women Foundation, Mrs. Mammah, who spoke on behalf of the coordinators, said they decided to take the bold initiative following the devastating effects the continued Monday sit-at-home has had on the state’s economy and the Southeast.
“How can you continue to do something that has not benefited you since it started? We pay school fees and our children don’t go to school; businesses are shut on Mondays not because traders and organisations want to shut their businesses.
“A few people have decided to create anarchy, take laws into their hands and make living uncomfortable for others.
“We cannot continue this way and that is why we think there is a need to support Governor Mbah in his effort to end the order,” she said
Imo reassures citizens of protection
Many residents in Imo State remained indoors yesterday due to fear of the unknown.
Many institutions were shut and only a few motorists plied the roads. Many civil servants did not also report for duty.
The Imo State government reassured the people of its commitment to their protection.
It, therefore, advised them to go about their legitimate businesses without fear of attacks.
Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, stressed that the government does not recognise sit-at-home.
He urged the people not to be frightened as the government is committed to protecting lives and property.
The spokesman said: “Government does not recognise sit-at-home. Those still sitting at home on Mondays are doing so out of their own volition, as the government has repeatedly assured them of its commitment to their protection.”
Soludo: we won’t disclose our strategy
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo said the government will not disclose its strategy for ending the order.
Commissioner of Police (CP), Aderemi Adoye, also said those trying to enforce the order should be ready to face the music
But residents say they are waiting for action and not talks.
Soludo, who spoke through his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said security was a big risk, so the government would guard its strategy.
He said: “The people should forget the sit-at-home and go about their normal businesses. Every day is for the thief but one day is for the owner of the house.
“Those hoodlums are testing my patience, and it is time to say enough is enough.
“Nnamdi Kanu has said the sit-at-home no longer existed, but unscrupulous elements keep disturbing the masses. We will not allow that.”
Governor Soludo also reiterated: “Ndi Anambra would not be part of the sit-at-home, so the people should ignore it. Anambra will never yield to non-state actors on any illegal order. Those dishing such orders are fugitives and rabble-rousers who should be completely ignored by the people.
“Our markets, schools, businesses and other social activities will remain open. Anambra State will never be a breeding ground for anarchy, fear or lawlessness.”
CP Adoye said his command would work with the government in freeing the state from the illegal order.
He said: “We’re ready for them, I’m not going to tell them to relocate, if they do, they will move over to neighbouring states and continue to wreak havoc, let them stay here and fight us.
“We are ready to secure Anambra. It is not going to be our fight alone, but a collaboration with sister agencies. We’re also not ready to disclose our strategy to them. Everyone will be involved, including the vigilance groups.”
A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo said if security agencies can end the sit-at-home, “it would be the greatest achievement of the President Bola Tinubu administration”.
Ebonyi residents long abandoned sit-at-home
Residents of Ebonyi State have long abandoned the order, and the government is doing all within its power to sustain the non-compliance.
A security consultant to the government, Stanley Emegha, said the government has continued to partner with security agencies to check the activities of the separatists.
According to him, the government, in conjunction with security agencies, has ramped up raids on hideouts and camps of the gunmen, with many of them arrested.
“Governor Francis Nwifuru has vowed that they must be prosecuted and when convicted, face the full punishment for their crimes,” Emegha added.
‘Abia govt silent’
Governor Alex Otti’s Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, and his Special Adviser on Media, Ferdinand Ekeoma, did not take their calls or respond to text messages as of last night.
But a source in the Labour Party (LP), who pleaded for anonymity, said: “You know this government is new. I am sure the governor knows the negative impact of the sit-at-home on the economy. He has always assured the people of the security of lives and property.
“Markets and government offices as you know are always open. But on a personal note, I think the people generally have decided to stay away from their shops on Mondays to continue pressing for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
“From my findings, the people have also decided to choose whose sit-at-home order they want to obey as we witnessed some time ago.
“So, I think the people will largely stop observing the sit-at-home when Kanu is released.
“I am not speaking for the government, but I think the governor will find a way to go about ending this order in due course.”
