Ohanaeze supports Gov. Mbah’s decision to stop the sit-in in Enugu

The pan-Igbo socio-cultural group Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Enugu State chapter, proclaimed unreserved support for the State government’s cancellation of the sit-at-home protest on Sunday.

The weekly sit-in was imposed by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by Finland-based Simon Ekpa, who posed as Biafran Prime Minister.

The gang is enforcing a sit-in to demand the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is being held by Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).

However, in a statement signed by Prof. Fred O. Eze, Enugu State branch president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and made available to journalists in Enugu on Sunday, the group praised the State Governor, Barr Peter Mbah, for taking the bold step to end “the scourge of sit-at-home in Enugu state.”

Ohanaeze stated that prior to the cancellation by the government, Enugu State was overcome by a climate of terror, causing people to lose faith in their companies.

“In Enugu State, every Monday became an unofficial holiday because businesses and other social activities ceased.”

“As a result, the continued observance of the sit-at-home order had a significant negative impact on Enugu State’s economy.” Businesses were fast closing down, and others were migrating out of the country, resulting in a loss of foreign direct investment and enormous capital flight.

“As a result, the Enugu State Government’s action could not have come at a better time.” The fact that Governor Peter Mbah has also advocated for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and has initiated steps to persuade the Federal Government to do so shows that the Governor understands the basic issues at stake.

“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 expressed delight that the head of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has unequivocally ordered an end to all forms of sit-ins in South East Nigeria.

The organisation praised Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s “life-saving order because the sit-in is counterproductive and causes incalculable harm to the people IPOB is fighting for.”

Ohanaeze urged parents, guardians, youths, and the general public to work with Gov. Mbah and his administration to permanently eradicate sit-at-home in the state.