‘It will cause more suffering’ — Ohanaeze Worldwide kicks against IPOB’s sit-at-home order

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, a sociocultural association, has kicked against the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The group is different from Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the more popular one headed by George Obiozor.

TheCable had reported that IPOB said it will enforce a lockdown every Monday in the south-east until its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is released.

The proscribed group said the lockdown tagged ‘Ghost Monday’ will also affect schools and marketplaces.

But in a statement by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, its secretary-general, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide said the sit-at-home order will further worsen the economic woes of the region.

The group asked IPOB to consult with key stakeholders in the south-east, including governors and traditional rulers before enforcing the order.

“We are in support of any civil disobedience that will be peaceful and without infestations of untold hardship and economic havoc on southeastern Nigerians, we are aware of the economic losses associated with sit-at-home orders in the past but we call for caution in the issuance of fresh sit at home orders with suffering starring on the faces of Ndigbo,” the statement reads.

“Southeastern governors should be consulted with other stakeholders including Igbo traditional rulers and market administrators to ascertain the consequences of sit-at-home orders in the past and the best strategies to free Nnamdi Kanu.

“It’s not in the best interest of Ndigbo to add more salt to injuries, there are better options that IPOB can use to push for the release of Nnamdi Kanu without infesting hardships on Ndigbo through sit-at-home.”

The group advised IPOB to “review their stance and see the bigger pictures of the discomforts and suffering of Igbos and adjust the sit-at-home from once a week to once a month”.

Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony brought against him by the federal government over his campaign for the separatist Republic of Biafra.

He was released in April 2017 on health grounds but jumped bail after flouting some of the conditions given to him by the court.

Kanu was re-arraigned before Binta Nyako of the federal high court in Abuja on June 29 after being intercepted and extradited to Nigeria. His trial was adjourned till July 26 for a hearing.

But it was later adjourned till October 21 owing to the failure of the federal government to produce him in the court.