Like the Talibans organisation in Afghanistan is taking gradual control of the country from the central government, the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) seemed to be on same trajectory if the perceived successful Monday August 9, 2021 sit-at-home order was anything to go by.
Reports and clips from major commercial cities of the South Eastern part of Nigeria as Aba; Onitsha;Umuahia and streets of major administrative cities as Enugu; Owerri; Abakaliki and Awka were totally shut down and empty on Monday.
The development no doubt, paralysed economic activities following the directive of the “sit-at-home” order by the IPOB authorities in solidarity for their detained Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is standing trial at the Federal High Court Abuja.
According to SOKOnnect source from Owerri the Imo Stare capital, “Sincerely speaking, the order recorded total compliance; traders and residents obeyed the order with strict compliance; only very few persons and vehicles particularly the pro-government protesters came out in Owerri; otherwise, people obeyed and they stayed at home and shops; offices as banks were closed.”
Fancy the development in Anambra State, another SOKOnnect source also confirmed, just as was seen in video clips that the popular Onitsha main market, Ochanja market, main market Nnewi were closed. Onitcha ‘head-bridge’ was blocked; all the major roads in the state were deserted.
In Abia, the home State of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, it was no surprise as the source revealed it was total compliance of the order – everyone stayed at home as the streets and markets were deserted; not even the popular Ariaria international market and, Ekeoha plaza bothered about the implications of economic loss they were completely shut.
Clips from Enugu, the capital of Enugu State was same as the major streets and the popular Ogbete main market as well as other markets in the state were empty and closed down; banks and other other major offices were same.
Ironically in Ebonyi State, the directive by the State Governor, Dave Umahi, to counter the IPOB authorities order was ignored – streets of Abakeliki the state capital were empty even Government offices obeyed the directive.
This mixed development of the “good, bad and ugly” in the South East, political pundits say raises lots of posers as to whether the present leaderships of the five South Eastern states of the country are still enjoying the confidence of the their people who now seemed to look up to the Mazi Kanu IPOB even when it was said to have been proscribed.
In this regard, the Federal Government is being urged to take urgent steps in addressing the concerns of the people of the South East which has been centred on marginalisation, equity and justice and leading to the unending agitators for self determination.
Otherwise, the IPOB has made a big statement so far that it has the support of the people; yet, the sit-at-home order according to IPOB would be every Monday of the week and wouldl only end when their leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released by the Federal Government from detention.
it would be recalled that IPOB also gave same directive – sit-at-home” – in May 30, 2021 to honour their fallen “heroes” as well those massacred in what was termed genocide of the South Easterners; the other was well complied with to the surprise of many.
It was the said genocide of the South Easterners which led to the declaration of Biafra in May 30, 1967 and eventually the Nigeria civil war which was fought from 1967-1970.
