The fact that residents of Enugu State seemingly ignored the recent directive by Governor Peter Mbah not to obey the latest sit-at-home order by a faction of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state shows that ending the disruptive all-Monday entrenched practice cannot be achieved by executive fiat.
There is need for all-encompassing efforts that will address the origin of the problem and the complications that have been subsequently engendered. Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State had similarly tried to end the practice in his state by giving directives to people of the state but failed as the attempt only exposed him to undue attacks.
Asking people of the state to go about their normal duties, Mr. Mbah had vowed that his administration would resist the continuation of the civil action in the state from Monday, June 5, 2023. “Therefore, those that strike on Mondays, putting restrictions in the way of our Igbo spirit of creativity, cannot be our true representatives. To this end, therefore, from Monday, June 5, 2023, there will be no observance of any sit-at-home in all nooks and crannies of Enugu State. Government will enforce this with all the powers at its disposal,”said Mbah.
The governor then asked all schools, markets, retail outlets, hospitals and transporters to stop obeying the Monday sit-at-home order in the state or face sanctions. “Any market, transport outlet, or any other body that fails to open for business risks being shut immediately,” Dan Neomeh, head of Governor Mbah’s media team, stated.
There should be a communal and holistic effort by the authorities of the South-East and the Federal Government in any serious attempt to end the sit-at-home. The continued confinement of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is best put in practice till further notice.