The Indigenous People of Biafra has criticised Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over the closure of the Onitsha Main Market, describing the action as unjust and punitive against traders who observed Monday’s sit-at-home across the state.
The pro-Biafra group said the widespread shutdown of businesses and movements showed that residents had clearly expressed their position, insisting that government should respect the will of the people rather than resort to what it called intimidation.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the decision of the state government to shut the Onitsha Main Market for one week was unfair and could worsen the economic hardship already facing traders and residents.
According to the group, the sit-at-home was peacefully observed in solidarity with its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and should not attract punitive measures from the government.
“The people of Anambra have spoken clearly by staying indoors. Closing markets is not governance but intimidation,” the statement read.
IPOB accused the governor of abandoning the interests of the people, claiming that the market closure was aimed at forcing compliance rather than addressing the root causes of the protest.
The group called on traders in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka to reopen their shops from Tuesday, insisting that no government had the right to shut down markets or punish citizens for what it described as peaceful civil disobedience.
It warned that any attempt to obstruct traders from reopening their shops would be resisted, while urging residents to remain calm and avoid violence.
IPOB further urged Soludo to focus on advocating for the release of Kanu, which it said remained the only lasting solution to the recurring unrest and sit-at-home actions in the South-East.
“Democracy is measured by respect for freedom of thought, conscience and lawful protest, not by threats and task forces,” the group said.
The Anambra State Government had earlier ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market after traders failed to open their shops on Monday, stating that the move was aimed at restoring economic activities and discouraging compliance with sit-at-home directives that had affected commerce in the state.
Efforts to get a reaction from officials of the Anambra State Government to IPOB’s statement were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
