Dave Umahi, Ebonyi governor, has explained why south-east residents are adhering to the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) despite the suspension.
The governor warned that if the situation does not change, the economy of the region will be affected.
Umahi spoke with state house correspondents on Monday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.
He said the south-east leaders and Ohanaeze Ndigbo are working to address the grievances of the youths of the region.
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Commenting on the sit-at-home order, he said: “It is a question of fear.
“You know, the easiest thing to do is to carry a weapon and kill somebody, and that’s what happened in the past.
“And that’s why, you know, some people in the south-east are afraid of coming out. So it’s not a question of compliance. It’s a question of fear.
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“You’ll find out that no south-east man wants to miss a day of work. They like to work, they are into trade, commerce, and they want to earn their daily living.
“So this is something that the nation Nigeria must know. And it’s something that security agencies must know. Security agencies must know that they owe south-east people the duty to protect their lives and this is the reason why it appears that in some states, there is compliance to sit at home, even though like you said, IPOB has said it’s suspended.
“But it’s the worst thing to happen to south-east because it will destroy the economy of south-east.”
The governor called on the people of south-east not to allow the region’s economy to be crippled.
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Commenting on the 2023 presidential election, Umahi said it was “too early and distracting to talk about it”.
He said: “My position is that our people that are in those political parties are making the efforts in selling the need for south-east to produce the next president.
“But I think both the governors and Mr. President should not be distracted.”
Umahi said he hopes the next president of the country will be as kind-hearted as President Buhari.
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1 comments
Mr Umahi,the truth remains that Southeasteners are so much tired of You politicians Who go about “picking crumbles from the tables of Your masters” in the guise of one Nigeria!
No body is observing the sit-at home out of any fear,rather than to prove to the whole world that they’re no longer comfortable with Your political propaganda.
The best thing You should’ve been talking is how to organize a referendum, so that people will choose what they want.
More so,if You people want normalcy to return to the region, release Nnamdi KANU now…He’s man of the People!
Don’t forget that what is happening now is no longer about IPOB,is about the People, because We’re are all Biafrans…even You!
Biafra is an Ideology not Man!