By Mudiaga Affe, Cajetan Mmuta and Jude Idu
Conflict appears to be the situation report following the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)’s directive that business operators in the South-East should shut their facilities and shops.

While the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide warned that the sit-at-home order would worsen the economic condition of the region, a former Anambra State Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, as well as some lawyers and activists said the directive was in order.

“Efforts being made by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra is not out of place since the body was founded under his (Nnamdi Kanu’s) leadership”, the former governor had particularly declared while speaking to one of our correspondents on Saturday.

IPOB had a few days ago directed traders and shop owners in the South-East to shut their business on Mondays starting from August 9 to protest against the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu, who is currently standing trial for felony at the Federal High Court, Abuja, was forcibly returned to Nigeria a few weeks ago from Kenya.

However, weighing in on the IPOB directive, Ohaneze Ndigbo noted that the sit-at-home directive would impact negatively on the economy of the region, even as it supported any peaceful protest.

It also noted that the directive was not the best strategy to be deployed in ensuring Kanu’s release.

The apex Igbo organisation made these known through its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro.

The scribe said, “We are in support of any civil disobedience that will be peaceful and without infestation of untold hardship and economic havoc on south-eastern Nigerians. We are aware of the economic losses associated with sit-at-home orders in the past, but we call for caution in the issuance of fresh sit-at-home orders with suffering starring the faces of Ndigbo.

“South-East governors should be consulted with other stakeholders, including Igbo traditional rulers and market administrators to ascertain the consequences of the sit-at-home orders in the past and the best strategies to free Nnamdi Kanu.”

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“It’s not in the best interest of Ndigbo to add more salt to injuries, there are better options that IPOB can use to push for the release of Nnamdi Kanu without infesting hardships on Ndigbo through sit-at-home.

“IPOB should review their stance and see the bigger pictures of the discomfort and suffering of the Igbo and adjust the sit-at-home from once a week to once a month.”

Meanwhile, Ezeife, who was in court last Monday in solidarity with Kanu, urged the Federal Government to see agitators as freedom fighters and liberators and not criminals as the IPOB leader is being tagged.

He also implored other authorities across the world to be on the watch out so as to protect IPOB sympathizers in the South-East on the set date.

The former governor added, “My problem is not that IPOB wants to press home its demands for the release of its leader, but that the present Muhammadu Buhari administration has abused the rights of citizens in quest to withhold power.

“The country is sliding into anarchy and we all know it. Both Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho crave one ideology and that is because the present Nigeria holds no future for its next generations.

“So whom ever is not comfortable in here has a decision to make. I believe that those who have called for restructuring have said it all. The southern governors’ decisions are also there.

“So, what am I trying to put across here? Kanu’s fight might just be a little storm in a tea cup compared to what awaits the country in a few years to come. I cannot

‘It ’ll worsen S’East economy’
the exact year or month but the way things are now, Kanu might just be a holy man compared to the line of agitators we are bound to witness in the future”.

Also, a lwayer, Kunle Olubiyo, said that it was the right of citizens to hold peaceful protest to press home their demands.

Olubiyo said, “People from the South-East have the right to close down their businesses, after all, it is theirs. I see nothing criminal in their action provided it does not lead to crises.

The lawyer, nonetheless, agreed with the apex Igbo organisation that the protest would affect the nation’s economy.

He added, “Need I remind everyone that Onitsha market has commercial benefit almost like that of Lagos. So, should the place be shut down, many West African sub region would be affected economically and Nigeria’s revenue will suffer”.

Another attorney, Chibunna Okolie-Akirika, who agreed that the people had the right to stay at home, however, warned that the action would be injurious to the economy.

He said, “Inasmuch as we argue that the way the federal government is treating south-easterners is not well, ordering closure of businesses will add to the economic misfortunes of the people. I think IPOB can single out a particular day of the month and carry out such a protest.”

“Besides, the political and religious leaders of the zone should rise to the occasion and appreciate the travails of Nnamdi Kanu. After all, what the IPOB leader is facing is not personal to him.

“Kanu is a symbol of agitation against social injustice, and considering the manner he was brought back to Nigeria, it is illegal as it borders on kidnapping and misuse of state power.”

Contributing, the International Society of Civil Liberties Organisation and Rule of Law (InterSociety) chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, who said the directive was to appeal to the conscience of the people, explained that it would not guarantee Kanu’s immediate freedom.

Umeagbalasi said, “We have to look at the issue from a broader perspective because the economy of the South-East is also in danger. The people of the zone, particularly from 2015, have been made victims of structural, social, economic and political violence.”

“Again, IPOB members are not state actors. They don’t have a standing army or police to be able to say it must happen. I only think that they are persuasively appealing the people”.

“Also, there is no guarantee that if markets and shops are shut that the authorities will release Kanu. The protest can only serve as a way of raising the consciousness among the people and drawing the attention of the international community.

Speaking, another lawyer, Igwe Chika, cautioned that a banned organisation had no right to compel people to stay at home.

Igwe said, “I think the best they can do is to take the protest to Abuja, not as an IPOB because any protest by a terrorist organisation is as good as a criminal protest. On the shutting of shops, the directive shouldn’t be forced on the people.Man is a free being and should be allowed to take his decision”.