Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, has stated that the ongoing sit-at-home orders observed every Monday in the South East region do not benefit Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), but instead serve the interests of criminal groups intent on damaging the economic activities in the area.
Soludo expressed this viewpoint during a meeting with market leaders from across the state held at Light House in Awka on Thursday, January 29. He indicated that Kanu himself does not endorse the sit-at-home practice, questioning why it should be observed in Onitsha and Nnewi when Kanu’s hometown of Umuahia does not observe it.
The meeting was prompted by the recent shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and the ongoing economic stagnation related to the Monday sit-at-home issue that has negatively impacted commercial activities across the South East for several years.
The governor elaborated, "I am here today in this interactive meeting to once again hear your thoughts. Over the past four years, we have interacted with you, held discussions, and even organized prayer sessions in April 2022 to bring this to an end. Now is the time for decisive actions.
The current enforcement of the sit-at-home order has shifted from being a form of political protest to becoming a criminal venture that no longer aligns with the interests of Nnamdi Kanu.
This movement is disconnected from Kanu. Back in 2016/2017, I, along with 13 Igbo stakeholders, visited him and later held a press conference advocating for his release, which eventually took place. I also visited him in March 2022 while he was in the custody of the Department of State Services. He does not support the ongoing sit-at-home. If there is no observance in Umuahia, his birthplace, then why is it being enforced in Onitsha and Nnewi?"
Additionally, the governor noted that he had to order the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for a week due to traders not adhering to the government's request to ignore the sit-at-home directive.
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