TheCable

Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia state, says the sit-at-home directive by Biafran groups is part of the beauty of democracy, which guarantees freedom of expression and gathering.

Ikpeazu made this known while addressing state house correspondents after a meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

He said though government offices and agencies in the state opened, some businessmen and women complied with the directive.

He said the compliance could be either to show solidarity to IPOB or to avoid falling victims to hoodlums “who might want to take advantage of the situation.

“You know the beauty of democracy is that there is freedom of expression and we also have the freedom of gathering and meeting,” he said.

“My experience in that area is that we have two major cities in Abia; Umuahia was quiet, Aba is calm also, government offices and agencies opened, but is up to businessmen to either open their shops or close them at will.

“Two reasons, one some people want to comply and the second reason is that a few people will want to close their shops for fear that hoodlums may hijack the exercise to loot.

“So in all as long as no life is lost, as long as nobody is molested, as long as lives and property are secured is okay. That’s my assessment of it.”

He said he was at the presidential villa to brief Osinbajo on the impact of ease of doing business reforms in the state

He said Abia was one of the first states that set up a structure for ease of doing business, adding that it was now possible for one to set up an industry in less than one week in the state.

“We see our potential business partners as the oxygen that will drive the economic life of Abia state going forward and we are prepared to hold them and make sure you establish without stress,” he said.