ENUGU — Despite Governors of states in the South East of Nigeria’s plea to the people to ignore the weekly sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), residents in the five states have continued to comply with the directive thus showcasing that power indeed is in the hands of the people.
Four Mondays in a row now, schools, motor parks, markets, churches, business premises in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states have remained closed undaunted by its effect on business and economy.
In a telephone conversation, Mrs. Clara Uzo residing in Aba, Abia state, a cyber café owner revealed to West African Pilot News, “complying with the order is far safer for me because the situation here is worse; one may suffer grave consequences for non-compliance. Even if I open my shop, nobody will patronize me?
In Enugu, answers given by interviewees bother more on fear of attack as witnessed by some traders who tried to defy the order on the penultimate Monday.
In Onitsha, Anambra state, the same report was received as markets, shops, motor parks, and public places are under lock and key.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the Federal government needs to take an urgent step to forestall the total breakdown of law and order in the aggrieved zone and nation at large.
Speaking to our reporter, a clergyman said, “this sit-at-home order has revealed that power is in the hands of the people yet they know it not; this energy can be used positively to bring the desired change in the nation.”
The conditions of IPOB for calling off the sit-at-home order is clear as stated in a speech attributed to Emma Powerful, the group’s director on Media and publicity, “There will be no movement throughout Biafra land on Mondays until our leader (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu) who is suffering for our freedom is released. This protest is peaceful but firm. Everybody is advised to stay indoors in total compliance.”
The above condition and rate of compliance of the order are worrisome as both parties must at some point sheath their swords in the interest of peace; it calls for open-hearted dialogue to find a lasting solution to the situation for when the elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. We must give peace a chance.
