BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has praised the people of Anambra State for observing the Monday sit-at-home despite threats by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The sit-at-home was introduced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on August 9, 2021, to demand the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, with schools, banks, markets, and motor parks mandated to shutdown on Mondays.
But worried by the prolonged stay-at-home, Prof Soludo had on Monday, January 26, 2026, ordered the immediate closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week, following the traders’ continued compliance with IPOB's directive on sit-at-home.
Soludo warned that if traders failed to open at the expiration of the one-week shutdown, the market would be closed for another week and subsequently for longer periods.
The statement has already triggered reactions from IPOB and traders, who protested on Tuesday when security operatives barricaded Main Market and prevented them from gaining access to their shops in a bid to enforce the governor's directive.
News Rider reports that the traders numbering over 2000 marched round the market hailing the incarcerated leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Hours after the governor's directive on Monday, the IPOB, through its spokesman, Emma Powerful warned Governor Soludo to stop threatening to close markets in the state.
The statement read: “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, sincerely thanks and salutes the great people of Anambra State for today’s peaceful sit-at-home observed in solidarity with our leader.
"Ndi Anambra have once again shown the world that dignity is more valuable than money, and that sacrifice is sometimes required in the pursuit of justice and freedom. At a time when other ethnic groups in Nigeria openly defend their own and protect their collective interests, Ndị Igbo have continued to demonstrate uncommon courage by demanding the release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
"It is therefore disappointing and unacceptable that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo—who once visited Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention and knows the truth—has chosen to turn around and threaten the same people he swore to protect, merely to impress Abuja interests that have never prioritised the wellbeing of the Igbo race.”
IPOB urged the traders to ignore the closure of the market by the government and open their shops from Tuesday.
"IPOB calls on all law-abiding residents and business owners across Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka to troop out en masse tomorrow and open their shops and markets peacefully.
"No Governor, even the one aspiring to please his Abuja masters has the power to punish citizens for peacefully exercising their conscience. No administration has the right to weaponise markets against the people. The threats to shut down markets for the rest of the week are not governance—they are intimidation, and Ndi Anambra must not surrender their rights to fear. Any entity preventing the opening of our markets on Tuesday will have something greater than them to contend with," he said.
The spokesman advised Soludo to campaign for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, instead of fighting his own people.
"Governor Soludo must understand that the sit-at-home remains what it has always been: a civil disobedience and silent protest against injustice.
"If Governor Soludo understands democracy, he should know that democracy is not measured by intimidation, task forces, or threats. Democracy is measured by respect for the freedom of thought, conscience, and lawful protest.
"Ndi Anambra have shown honour and courage. But Governor Soludo has regrettably shown that he is prepared to trade the people’s dignity for political convenience," Powerful added.
He noted that the era of Warrant Chiefs in the Southeast ended many decades ago, stating that Ndigbo are not slaves in their ancestral land.
Powerful said: "We are not slaves in our ancestral land. The era of warrant chiefs enforcing colonial interests against their own people is long gone. Anambra people will not be ruled by threats and blackmail. Governor Soludo will not remain in office forever. The day he leaves office, history will judge his choices—and the people will remember who stood with them and who stood against them.
"The solution is straightforward: Release Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Until that is done, the demand for justice will not disappear. We urge all Ndị Igbo to remain peaceful, disciplined and focused. This struggle is moral, lawful and historic—and intimidation will not stop a people determined to be free."
The protest caused by the governor's directive has already escalated with reports indicating that the traders blocked the Head Bridge expressway on Wednesday in Onitsha.
Comments
Post a Comment