From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
There are indications that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) may cancel its order for sit – at home in the South east state following the recent meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders from the South east zone
The indication has however left an atmosphere of uncertainty as many public and private institutions across the zone as the order has persisted in the last four months, since the commencement of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial by the federal government
Announcements that the usual Monday sit at home will no longer hold is very much awash on social media platforms, but the fears of many public institutions is based on the fact that there were instances of such announcements in the past, yet few establishments who opened for businesses were attacked by suspected unknown gun men.
In the past incidences, the leadership of IPOB had always denied that they were not involved and would accused security agencies loyal to the Federal government as beign responsible for the continued implementation of the sit – at- home order.
The AUTHORITY checks across the South e ast zone observed that both commercial banks, Petrol stations, Commercial transporters, and markets always adhere to the sit — at –home order thereby paralising almost every economic activity in the zone.
There are no clear indications in Enugu state that Civil servants will resume work tomorrow, as there is no official announcement yet from the state government compelling the civil servants to be at their duty post. The private school proprietors have also not sent signals to parents to bring their wards to school.
Meanwhile the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the warm reception he accorded the group of Igbo leaders led by a first Republican Parliamentarian and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, who visited him at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja on Friday, November 19, 2021.
In a press statement made available to The AUTHORITY, and signed by the National Publicly Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, the leadership of Ohanaeze stated,
“We are particularly delighted that Mr. President has shown empathy in the current Igbo travails by mulling a political option for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Our immense gratitude goes to the elder statesman, a quintessential Nigerian patriot, passionate and selfless leader, Chief Mbazulike Amechi for his profound insights, selflessness, tenacity and concerns for peace to return to the South East of Nigeria. In his presentation to Mr President, the nonagenarian described the “situation in the South East as painful and pathetic
“He lamented that “businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling and there is fear everywhere”. He added that he does not “want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa”.
“The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor has always maintained that the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu requires a political solution and that dialogue remains a veritable instrument for a functional democracy all over the world. What the Igbos want in Nigeria are very specific and a concerted effort towards addressing such needs will go a long way to resolving the present crises in the South East”.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide identifies with the views expressed by Chief Amechi that Ndigbo are committed to a united prosperous Nigeria that guarantees justice, equity and fairness to all. We are convinced that as the leader of the nation, Mr. President has the constitutional powers to redirect the narratives of the country; there is hardly the possibility for an economic growth and employment to our teeming graduates in an atmosphere of rancor, insecurity and violence”.
