Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, the largest Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has advised Igbos to disregard the factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa,’s two-week “Sit-at-home” edict.
The association urged all Igboland sons and daughters to conduct themselves lawfully.
This is according to a statement issued by the group’s President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, on Monday in Enugu.
While criticising Ekpa’s constant appeal for “Sit-at-home” in the South-East, Iwuanyanwu estimated that 250 people had died as a result of the order’s implementation.
He expressed regret that the people of the South-East were being subjected to hardships as a result of the constant requests to “Sit-at-home,” and emphasised that numerous non-state actors had unleashed mayhem on the population in an attempt to execute the order.
He called the situation as “unfortunate.”
“As a result, several people have been killed, maimed, and property worth millions of naira has been destroyed.”
“Additionally, the order has instilled fear and trepidation in the good people of the zone, making it difficult for people to come out to transact their lawful business on “Sit-at-home” days,” he stated.
According to the president-general of the Igbo group, the region is known for its micro, small, and medium-sized firms, indigenous manufacturing, fabrication, and agro-allied industries.
Several agencies, he claims, have estimated the losses suffered by the people of zone to be in the trillions of naira per day that the “Sit-at-home” order is in effect.
‘The South-East has seen a loss of clients and consumers as a result of the zone’s volatile business environment…Food carriers to the South-East charge more for trips to Igboland as a result of these “Sit-at-home” commands.
“Furthermore, insecurity and unknown gunmen have increased as a result of the “Sit-at-home” order, and it is disheartening to see Mr Simon Ekpa announce another two-week “Sit-at-home” in the South-East.”
“This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to succeed in Igboland,” Iwuanyanwu stated.
Iwuanyanwu said that a few days ago, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the banned IPOB, on whose behalf Ekpa claimed to be working, asked the said Simon Ekpa to “end all sit-at-home in the South-East.”
Kanu asked Ekpa not to antagonise South-East governors or politicians.
He found it very alarming that while the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide was engaging Igbo businesspeople all over the world in a “Think-Home” attitude, a foreign-based Igbo was set on destabilising the home front.
“It is clear that the series of sit-at-home orders is affecting the social and economic life of the Igbos, and it is not in their favour.”
“As a father, I respectfully request that Mr Simon Ekpa and his group meet for a discussion and an opportunity to air their grievances.”
“I urge security personnel to exercise the utmost caution in carrying out their official responsibilities in order to prevent further innocent lives from being lost in Igboland.”
“‘On behalf of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, I wish to commend the South-East Governors on their efforts to end the sit-at-home order.”
“My condolences go to the families who have lost loved ones and property as a result of these sad and unfortunate events,” Iwuanyanwu added.
