Nonsensical, Absurd: Ohanaeze Rejects IPOB Sit-At-Home Order Over Nnamdi Kanu

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has rejected the planned sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Ohanaeze in its reaction, not only condemned the sit-at-home order, but described it as “nonsensical, absurd, and anti-Igbo agenda, for the enemy’s amusement.”

Ezenwoko’s Blog recalls IPOB had on Saturday vowed to lockdown the Southeast region if the federal government failed to unconditionally release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from detention by November 4.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said it will honour Kanu with the fresh lockdown, which will be enforced between November 5 and 10, except on Sunday, November 7, to allow for Church service.

But Ohanaeze in a reaction on Sunday through a statement issued by its secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro said the IPOB order will only unleash untold hardship on the people of the region.

He added that it is obvious Nnamdi Kanu can only be released by the court, arguing that subjecting the people to such anguish is counter-productive and selfish.

The statement warned residents of the region to reject any ‘overseas’ order seeking to trample upon them.

While urging IPOB to rescind its directive, Ohanaeze observed that it won’t support the sit-at-home and will also withdraw all forms of support for IPOB as the people are ready to ensure nothing stops the free and peaceful conduct of the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 6.

He said, “Any declaration that unleashes untold hardship, leads to the collapse of commercial and industrial activities, boycott of Anambra elections, and interrupts the academic calendar in the Southeastern states is nonsensical, absurd, and anti-Igbo agenda, for the enemy’s amusement.”

Isiguzoro said it was time “for the Igbo to rise to the occasion and end being trampled with orders from overseas by those without any investments in the South-East”.

“IPOB should discern that there was self-determination struggle in Africa before now. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in jail and never in the history of the movement against Apartheid was starvation, anguish, and catastrophe unleashed on Black South Africans by ANC.

“It is impulsive and reckless to order Ndigbo to observe one-week sit-at-home when it’s obvious that Nnamdi Kanu will not be released without the approval of courts.

“IPOB should revisit and nullify the one-week sit-at-home or they will likely lose the support of the Ndigbo henceforth, Ndigbo must participate in Anambra election and nothing should stop it”.