On Sunday, the Enugu State chapter of the pan-Igbo social and cultural group Ohanaeze Ndigbo announced their full backing of the State government’s decision to call off the sit-at-home.
Simon Ekpa, self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra and resident of Finland, led a faction of IPOB that enforced a weekly stay-at-home policy.
The group is using the sit-in to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Nigeria.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, however, praised State Governor Barr Peter Mbah for his bravery in ending “the scourge of sit-at-home in Enugu state” in a statement signed by Enugu State branch president Prof. Fred O. Eze and made available to journalists in Enugu on Sunday.
Ohanaeze remembered that an atmosphere of terror had engulfed Enugu State to the point where people lacked the courage to go about their daily lives and activities prior to the cancellation by the government.
Businesses and other forms of public life in Enugu State, Nigeria, typically shut down on Mondays, creating what can only be described as an unofficial holiday.
Therefore, Enugu State’s economy suffered greatly as a result of the continuing observance of the sit-at-home edict. There was a dramatic decline in FDI and a huge outflow of capital as businesses closed down or moved out of the State.
Thus, the timing of the Enugu State Government’s response is perfect. Indicative of his grasp of the key issues at play is the fact that Governor Peter Mbah has also called for the freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and has taken efforts to persuade the Federal Government to release Kanu.
“The sit-at-home order is self-immolating, and it has disrupted all productive assets and resources in the state since its introduction and enforcement.”
Ohanaeze is relieved that IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has publicly called for an end to sit-at-home protests in South East Nigeria.
They praised what they called a “life-saving order by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu” because “the sit-at-home is counter productive as it does incalculable harm to the people IPOB is fighting for.”
Parents, guardians, young people, and members of the general public were urged by Ohanaeze to work with Governor Mbah and his administration to end the sit-at-home movement once and for all in the State.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate