South-east governors ask residents to ignore IPOB’s sit-at-home order

Some south-east governors have asked residents of their states to ignore the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB on July 30 ordered a sit-at-home in the south-east every Monday until Nnamdi Kanu, its leader, is released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

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

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo state, while addressing a congregation after a church service on Sunday at the government house Chapel, Owerri, called on residents to go about their normal business, adding that those behind the order had been identified and would soon be arrested and arraigned.

He also thanked residents for contributing to the successful hosting of President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday and called on those who he said worked to sabotage the visit to ”search their consciences in whatever they do”.

In the same vein, Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia state, asked residents of his state to shun the order.

John Kalu, the state commissioner for information, in a statement on Monday, said the lingering sit-at-home order could jeopardise Abia students’ chances of taking the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations.

He said the order was reportedly endorsed and illegally enforced by a “group of hoodlums hiding under the identity of agitators in the south-east region to cause chaos in the state” and advised residents to go about their normal activities.

“While we do not begrudge any citizen the right to sit at home or go about their normal duties, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others, we cannot afford to sit idly and watch the future of our children jeopardised and the economic well-being of our people further wrecked over a matter we believe can be resolved judicially or through political negotiations,“ the statement reads.

“We, therefore, advise parents to ensure that their children go to the examination centres for their papers while teachers and examination supervisors are to ensure the protection of the children before, during and after the examinations.

“Other citizens are also encouraged to go about their normal duties without fear of molestation and leaders of all markets and transport unions in the state are advised to ensure that markets are open and transport vehicles deployed by their members for regular activities on Monday and beyond unless otherwise advised by government.”

The Anambra state government had on Saturday directed transporters and traders in the state to go about their normal activities and to ignore any directive asking residents to stay at home.

It said all sectors of the economy are expected to resume activities on Monday.