IPOB says the sit-at-home for seven days will affect the economic life of the Igbo which is not the intention of the order.
By Chibuzor Nwachukwu
The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has suspended the proposed sit-at-home order billed to commence tomorrow, November 5 in all states of the South East region.
Recall that the Director of Publicity for the body had earlier announced that it would commence a sit-at-home mandate on November 5, if its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was not released unconditionally on or before November 4.
According to the statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Comrade Emma Powerful, it called off the sit-at-home order following the appeal by the elders in the South East coupled with the grave economic implications of the strike on the people.
The body urged the people of Anambra State to come out and vote on November 6 without any form of intimidation or fear.
The statement read in parts: “Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions/Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms, the leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.
“We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.
“The people of Anambra State should go out en masse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 2021 and accordingly, choose a leader of their choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.
“Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated in the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.
“We wish to thank Biafrans, IPOB members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence.
“May we, therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision. IPOB doesn’t expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement.
“On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice. IPOB still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of our leader.
“We therefore urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestations. All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.”