Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, yesterday, said that the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, was the worst thing to happen to the economy of the southeast.
Umahi spoke as offices, business outfits, banks and schools in major parts of the southeast were again shut down yesterday in compliance with the sit-at-home order at the instance of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
For the fifth Monday in a row, the southeast was shut down. Roads were deserted. Vehicles along the busy southeast major roads could be counted. Some shops opened halfway, an indication that residents are yet to defeat apprehension despite the IPOB announcing the cancellation of the sit-at-home order.
Residents of major cities in the southeast especially Umuahia and Awka said they are tired of sitting at home every Monday.
In Awka, commercial activities were again paralyzed yesterday as banks, markets, including shopping malls and transporters refused to open for businesses.
In Enugu, miscreants suspected to be members of Eastern Security Network, ESN, yesterday, set ablaze a big truck loaded with new motorcycle spare parts at Eluagu Obukpa, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Similarly, Maxwell Opara, who is among the team of lawyers defending the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has instituted a N50million fundamental right enforcement suit against the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS.
Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Umahi said :”I think it is not about complying with the directive of IPOB. It is a question of fear.
“You know, the easiest thing to do is to carry weapon and kill somebody and that’s what happened in the past. And that’s why some people in South East are afraid of coming out. Even if you go now to the streets and you hold an AK 47, you’ll see everybody will desert the street. So, it’s not a question of compliance. It’s a question of fear.
“If the security agencies can have enough personnel in the South East, 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 a compliance of 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. And so, I’ve been singing and I have been shouting that South East people should take heed not to allow such thing to happen because it will cripple the economy of South East.”
Umahi also told those holding federal positions from the zone to always visit their states and identify with their people in a bid to know the level of marginalization of the area.
Umahi said that the leaders of the zone in collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo are working together on the grievances of the youths of the area in order to take it to the President.
The governor also commended President Buhari on what he described as “megaprojects” in the southeast especially the Second Niger Bridge which he said is becoming a reality and the award of the eastern corridor of the railway line which he said would fast track commercial activities in the area.
