On Sunday, the Enugu State chapter of the pan-Igbo sociocultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirmed its unwavering support for the State government’s decision to end sit-at-home.
A section of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Simon Ekpa, who claimed to be the Biafran Prime Minister and lives in Finland, imposed the weekly sit-at-home.
The organization is enforcing sit-at-home as a means of demanding the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is being held by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), the country’s secret police.
However, the group praised the courage of the State Governor, Barr Peter Mbah, for taking the bold step to end “the scourge of sit-at-home in Enugu state” in a statement signed by Prof. Fred O. Eze, president of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo branch in Enugu State, and made available to journalists in Enugu on Sunday.
Ohanaeze remembered how, prior to the cancellation by the government, a climate of terror had taken over Enugu State, making it impossible for people to conduct their daily lives with confidence.
“In Enugu State, every Monday became an unofficial holiday as businesses and other social activities usually came to a halt.
“Thus, the continued observance of the sit-at-home order had a significant negative impact on the economy of Enugu State. Businesses were rapidly closing down, while others were relocating away from the State leading to the loss of foreign direct investment and massive capital flight.
“Thus, the action by the Enugu State Government could not have come at a better time. That Governor Peter Mbah also called for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and has triggered steps to get the Federal Government to release Kanu is indicative that the Governor understands the core issues at stake.
“The sit-at-home order is self-immolating and has disrupted all productive assets and resources in the state since its introduction and enforcement.”
Ohanaeze expressed happiness that the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has himself categorically ordered the cessation of any form of sit-at-home in whatever guise in South East Nigeria.
The group applauded the “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.”
Ohanaeze appealed to parents, guardians, youths and the general public to join hands with Gov Mbah and his administration in ensuring that sit-at-home was put to a permanent end in the State.