Unless reason prevails, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Anambra State government will today engage in show of might over the closure of Onitsha Main Market.
Governor Chuwkuma Soludo had on Monday, ordered the closure of the market for one week, for observing the sit-at-home order by IPOB.
The governor also threatened to extend the closure to one month should the traders fail to open their shops next week Monday.
But IPOB in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, warned Governor Soludo to stop threatening people of Anambra State for observing the sit-at-hime order.
He thanked the people of Anambra State for the peaceful sit-at-home observed in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is presently serving a jail term in Sokoto.
“Ndi Anambra have once again shown the world that dignity is more valuable than money, and that sacrifice is sometimes required in the pursuit of justice and freedom.
“At a time when other ethnic groups in Nigeria openly defend their own and protect their collective interests, Ndịgbo have continued to demonstrate uncommon courage by demanding the release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“It is therefore disappointing and unacceptable that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo—who once visited Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention and knows the truth—has chosen to turn around and threaten the same people he swore to protect, merely to impress Abuja interests that have never prioritised the wellbeing of the Igbo race,” Powerful said in the statement.
He told the traders to ignore the closure of the market by the government and open their shops from Tuesday.
“IPOB calls on all law-abiding residents and business owners across Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka to troop out en masse (today) and open their shops and markets peacefully.
“No Governor, even the one aspiring to please his Abuja masters has the power to punish citizens for peacefully exercising their conscience.
“No administration has the right to weaponise markets against the people.
“The threats to shut down markets for the rest of the week are not governance—they are intimidation, and Ndi Anambra must not surrender their rights to fear.
“Any entity preventing the opening of our markets on Tuesday will have something greater than them to contend with,” he threatened.
The pro-Biafra group urged Soludo to campaign for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, instead of fighting his own people, adding, “Governor Soludo must understand that the sit-at-home remains what it has always been: a civil disobedience and silent protest against injustice.
“If Governor Soludo understands democracy, he should know that democracy is not measured by intimidation, task forces, or threats.
“Democracy is measured by respect for the freedom of thought, conscience, and lawful protest.
“Ndi Anambra have shown honour and courage. But Governor Soludo has regrettably shown that he is prepared to trade the people’s dignity for political convenience.”
IPOB reminded Soludo that the era of warrant chiefs in the South-East is gone, adding, “We are not slaves in our ancestral land.
“The era of warrant chiefs enforcing colonial interests against their own people is long gone.
“Anambra people will not be ruled by threats and blackmail.
“Governor Soludo will not remain in office forever. The day he leaves office, history will judge his choices—and the people will remember who stood with them and who stood against them.”
IPOB demanded Nnamdi Kanu’s release, saying, “The solution is straightforward: Release Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Until that is done, the demand for justice will not disappear. We urge all Ndị Igbo to remain peaceful, disciplined and focused.
“This struggle is moral, lawful and historic—and intimidation will not stop a people determined to be free.”
