By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Despite the insistence by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that all markets should open for business today, including the Onitsha Main Market, shops at the market remained shut in compliance with the directive of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.
A heavy security presence was observed at the market as authorities moved to enforce the order. Traders were seen sitting outside the market premises, chatting among themselves, but were unable to gain access to their shops.
As at the time of filing this report, no members of IPOB were sighted at the market. However, there was palpable tension amid unverified reports of attempts to forcefully reopen the market.
Meanwhile, the Anambra Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors, led by Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, have described supporters of the sit-at-home order as enemies of Anambra State and the South-East region.
In a statement, Obigwe questioned why Anambra State should be singled out for what he described as economic strangulation, noting that states such as Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu no longer observe the sit-at-home order.
“Those supporting this sit-at-home that has dealt a heavy blow to the Igbo economy are the real enemies of Anambra State and the Igbo people at large,” he said.
“The question begging for answers is: why Anambra? This sit-at-home order is not being observed in Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu and Abia states, yet some miscreants are pushing for its continued enforcement in Anambra.”
Obigwe recalled that IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had in a widely circulated statement distanced himself from the Monday sit-at-home and urged the people to put an end to it.
“Those claiming they are enforcing the sit-at-home as a form of civil disobedience to protest the detention of Nnamdi Kanu are deceiving themselves,” he said.
“They are merely using his detention to perpetrate criminality and cripple the Igbo economy.”
He dismissed calls urging Governor Soludo to focus on securing Kanu’s release rather than ending the sit-at-home, describing such arguments as misleading.
According to him, Governor Soludo was the first governor in the South-East to publicly call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“When he assumed office as governor, he visited Nnamdi Kanu at the DSS detention facility and held frank discussions with him. Till date, he remains one of the most vocal advocates for his release,” Obigwe stated.
He further stressed that Nnamdi Kanu fully supports Governor Soludo’s efforts to end the Monday sit-at-home.
“All that is expected of Ndi Anambra and residents of the state is to support the governor’s efforts to end the sit-at-home, as it is in the best interest of the state,” he added.
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