Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Igbo socio-cultural organization, has strongly condemned the calls for further sit-at-home protests in the South-East by Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu. The organization’s president-general, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, stated that the sit-at-home orders have caused significant financial losses for the people of the South-East region, estimated to be in trillions of naira.
Simon Ekpa, based in Finland, has been issuing letters directing sit-at-home protests in the names of IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu. The sit-at-home orders were declared by IPOB to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently in detention and facing prosecution by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The impact of these orders has been detrimental to the region, causing fear and hindering lawful businesses on the designated sit-at-home days. The South-East is known for its micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, as well as indigenous manufacturing, fabrication, and agro-allied industries, which have suffered significant losses due to the continuous sit-at-home protests.
It was highlighted that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, had directed Simon Ekpa to end all sit-at-home protests in the South-East and stop antagonizing the governors and politicians from the region. Despite this directive, Simon Ekpa continues to announce more sit-at-home protests.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide urged all sons and daughters of Igbo-land to disregard the sit-at-home orders and go about their lawful businesses. The organization also extended an invitation to Simon Ekpa and his group for a discussion and an opportunity to address their grievances.
Lastly, the president-general called on security operatives to exercise the utmost prudence in their duties to prevent further loss of innocent lives in the South-East.
