The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has condemned the incessant calls for sit-at-home by Simon Ekpa even after Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had asked him to stop the calls.
This is as Iwuanyanwu ordered all sit-at-home in Igbo-land to be discontinued and called Simon Ekpa and his group for a discussion to air their grievances.
Iwuanyanwu made the call in a statement that he signed and made available to newsmen by Dr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo noted that over 250 persons are estimated to have lost their lives through the enforcement of the sit-at-home order.
According to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, “It is indeed very disheartening that the people of South East of Nigeria are being subjected to hardships by the incessant call for sit at home.
“Unfortunately several non-state actors in an attempt to enforce the order have unleashed mayhem on the people. As a result, several people have been killed, maimed and properties worth millions of Naira have been destroyed. In addition, the sit-at-home order has been instilling fears and trepidation on the good people of the South East, making it difficult for people to come out to transact their lawful businesses on the sit-at-home days.
“The South-East is noted for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, indigenous manufacturing, fabrication and agro-allied industries. To this end, several authorities have put the losses encountered by the people of South East at trillions of Naira on each sit-at-home day.
“It is saddening to see that Mr Simon Ekpa has announced another two weeks sitting at home in the South East. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to succeed in Igboland.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, however, declared that ” sit-at-home in Igbo-land should be discontinued. I therefore urge all the sons and daughters of Igbo-land to go about their lawful businesses.
“As a father, I hereby request Mr. Simon Ekpa and his group for a discussion and an opportunity to air their grievances. I urge the security operatives to exercise the highest degree of prudence in the discharge of their official duties to avoid further loss of innocent lives in the Igbo land.
Ohaneze Ndigbo, thereafter, sympathised with families who have lost loved ones and properties during events and commended the South East Governors in their effort to put a stop to the sit-at-home order.
