The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has invited a self-acclaimed Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, and his group for discussion amid the sit-at-home protests against the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The Ohanaeze President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, gave the invitation in a statement issued on Monday while condemning the incessant call for sit-at-home begging that it should be discountenanced.
Chief Iwuanyanwu, however, warned all security operatives in the South-East to exercise the highest degree of prudence in the discharge of their official duties to avoid further loss of innocent lives in Igbo-land.
The Ohanaeze President General expressed his sympathy with the families who have lost loved ones and properties during these unfortunate events while calling for the cooperation of all and sundry to address all the grievances.
He said, “It is indeed very disheartening that the people of South East of Nigeria are being subjected to hardships by the incessant call for sit-at-home. Unfortunately several non-state actors in an attempt to enforce the order have unleashed mayhem on the people. As a result, several people have been killed, and maimed and properties worth millions of Naira have been destroyed. In addition, the sit-at-home order has been instilling fears and trepidation in the good people of the South East, making it difficult for people to come out to transact their lawful businesses on the sit-at-home days.
“The South-East is noted for micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, indigenous manufacturing, fabrication, and agro-allied industries. To this end, several authorities have put the losses encountered by the people of South East at trillions of Naira on each sit-at-home day. The South East has witnessed the loss of clients and customers who find alternatives because of the unstable business environment in the South East.
“The food transporters to the South East charge more for a trip to the South East because of these sit-at-home orders. Furthermore, insecurity and unknown gunmen have been on the increase because of the sit-at-home order. Worst still, over 250 persons are estimated to have lost their lives through the enforcement of the sit-at-home order.”
“It is evident that the series of sit-at-home orders is affecting the social and economic life of the Igbos. Surely, it is not to the advantage of the Igbos. Based on the above backdrop, I, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide hereby direct that: The sit at home in Igbo-land should be discountenanced. I, therefore urge all the sons and daughters of Igbo-land to go about their lawful businesses.
“As a father, I hereby request Mr. Simon Ekpa and his group for a discussion and an opportunity to air their grievances. I urge the security operatives to exercise the highest degree of prudence in the discharge of their official duties to avoid further loss of innocent lives in Igbo-land.”
