Despite the cancellation of the sit-at-home program, Anambra’s highways are deserted

Despite the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) issuing a statement on Thursday canceling the one-week sit-at-home order that was set to begin on Friday, November 5, Anambra state streets were deserted today.

Motor vehicles were off the roads, motor parks were closed, and banks and other financial institutions were also closed, just as they were on typical Sit-At-Home days.

Few transport buses dared to travel the roads because there were no passengers.

On Thursday, November 6, IPOB issued a statement signed by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, canceling the Sit-At-Home that the group had previously announced would take place from Friday, November 5 to Tuesday, November 10.

“Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions/Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that Our elders have spoken in our terms,” IPOB said.

“We’ve also taken into account several appeals from our mothers who rely on their daily economic activities for a living, which will undoubtedly be harmed if Biafra land is shut down for a week.” We never want to add to our people’s suffering, which is why we’ve decided to call a halt to the sit-ins.”

Furthermore, a pro-Biafran group claimed to have met in Awka on Thursday, November 4, and agreed to lift the IPOB-ordered sit-at-home.

The group issued an eight-point communique suspending the sit-at-home order following a joint meeting said to have taken place in Awka.

Dr. Law Mefor, for the Customary Government of Biafra, Nwaada Eberechukwu Anigbogu, for the De Facto Biafran Government, and Bar P. N. Okoro, for Bilie Human Rights, were among the signatories to the communique.

Other speakers included Comrade Zulu Ofoelue of the Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN), Chukwuebuka Ikenwa of the Biafran United Liberation Council (BULCO), Comrade Osita Chukwuagbanarinam of the Salvation People of Biafra, Comrade Clinton Umeh of the De Mobilizers Initiative (DMI), and Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck O

The group decided, among other things, that “the Anambra State governorship election, scheduled for November 6, MUST HOLD UNDERMINED in the overall interest of Ndigbo and the long-term benefits of the Biafran struggle”;

“The Joint Meeting also noted that, based on all empirical evidence, continued Sit-At-Home, whether ordered by IPOB or not, must end because it is only exacerbating the suffering of long-suffering Biafrans, in line with the position of revered Igbo elders, particularly the Council of South East Traditional Rulers and Council of Igbo Archbishops/Bishops,” and “the Joint Meeting also resolved to constructively engage the IPOB

“All Pro-Biafran groups and Biafrans in general are urged to avoid violence in the upcoming Anambra election and vote for the candidates of their choice,” the group said, “while denouncing the nefarious activities of the Unknown Gunmen as anti-igbo and a precursor to armed struggle.”

On Friday, however, the streets of Awka were deserted, with few people visible, resembling the normal state of ghost Mondays.

Meanwhile, the state is tense ahead of Saturday’s election, with a large security presence in the area.

The Anambra State Government has also expressed concern about the removal of Joseph Egbunike, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

“There is palpable fear in Anambra State over tomorrow’s gubernatorial election following the unannounced election,” the government said in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba.