‘It’s costing south-east trillions’ — Ohanaeze condemns Simon Ekpa’s sit-at-home orders

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has condemned further calls for sit-at-home in the south-east by Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement signed by Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the organisation said the sit-at-home has cost people of the south-east trillions of naira.

Ekpa, who is based in Finland, has been issuing letters directing sit-at-homes in IPOB’s and Kanu’s names.

IPOB had declared a sit-at-home across the south-east states to demand the release of Kanu who is being detained and prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Commenting on the impact of the orders, Iwuanyanwu said people of the south-east region have suffered untold hardship, with an estimated 250 deaths, as a result of the continuous orders.

“The sit at home order has been instilling fear and trepidation on the good people of the south-east, making it difficult for people to come out to transact their lawful businesses on the sit-at-home days,” the statement reads.

“The south-east is noted for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, indigenous manufacturing, fabrication and agro-allied industries.

“To this end, several authorities have put the losses encountered by the people of south-east at trillions of naira on each sit-at-home day.

“It is saddening to see that Mr. Simon Ekpa has announced another two weeks sit at home in the south-east. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to succeed in Igboland.

“A few days ago, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on whose behalf Ekpa claims to be working, has directed the said Simon Ekpa to end all sit-at-home in the Southeast and to stop antagonizing the governors of the southeast or politicians from the region.

“It is very disturbing that at a time the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is engaging the Igbo entrepreneurs all over the world, on a think-home philosophy, a foreign-based Igbo is bent on destabilizing the home front.

“It is evident that the series of sit at home order is affecting the social and economic life of the Igbos. Surely, it is not to the advantage of the Igbos.”

The president-general directed that “the-sit at-home in Igbo-land should be discountenanced. I therefore urge all the sons and daughters of Igbo-land to go about their lawful businesses”.

“As a father, I hereby request Mr. Simon Ekpa and his group for a discussion and an opportunity to air their grievances.

“I urge the security operatives to exercise the highest degree of prudence in the discharge of their official duties to avoid further loss of innocent lives in Igboland.”