TheCable

Chimaroke Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu, says the sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the south-east is against Igbo interest.

IPOB, which is seeking to secede from Nigeria, had declared a sit-at-home on Mondays, beginning August 9, to protest the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the group.

Although the group had suspended the order, parts of the south-east have, in recent times, remained deserted on Mondays.

In a statement on Sunday, Nnamani, senator representing Enugu east, said IPOB’s order has negatively affected the economy and social life in the south-east.

The lawmaker said the Igbo character is defined by hard work, and that the sit-at-home order is antithetical to this trait and a “betrayal of Igbo interest”.

“Most of our people live on daily income. Think of the market women who depend on daily earnings to feed their families. Think of students writing external examinations being denied access to the venues. How does enslaving our people, denial of means of livelihood, add value to our quest for equity and justice?” he queried.

“If others reject us, should we also reject ourselves?

“It stands to reason that this sit-at-home cannot be a way forward. We cannot abandon ourselves.

“In our struggle for equity and justice in the Nigerian federation, we cannot inadvertently inflict more injuries on ourselves by this sit-at-home order.”