- South-east governors promise to deal with Simon Ekpa and other troublemakers
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has strongly criticized the sit-at-home order imposed by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), labeling it as a criminal activity that inflicts suffering on innocent people.
In a series of tweets, Obi called for a more strategic approach to address the escalating violence in the Southeast, Benue, and Plateau states. He expressed deep concern over the wanton loss of innocent lives due to communal clashes, banditry, and kidnapping activities across Nigeria.
“The rising insecurity in the country leading to mindless bloodletting, particularly in the North Central zone of the country, and the continued disruption of business and social activities in the Southeast are all becoming very worrisome,” Obi stated.
See Also: DSS Not Sponsoring Biafra National Guard To Enforce Sit-at-home Order
The former governor commended the efforts of Southeast governors in restoring peace but stressed the need for a more intelligence-driven and strategic approach to alleviate the suffering of innocent citizens.
“As a people, through our various governments, we should value human lives and respond to issues in a manner that prioritizes the well-being of our citizens,” Obi added.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also condemned the recent internecine killings in Mangu Council of Plateau State and parts of Benue State, calling for an end to the cycle of violence in the country.
In response to the sit-at-home order declared by Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of IPOB, the governments of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo states have vowed not to yield to the disruptive tactics of non-state actors in the Southeast geopolitical zone.
The Anambra State government, through Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s press secretary, Christian Aburime, dismissed Ekpa as a fugitive and urged citizens to ignore his illegal sit-at-home order. Similarly, an official from Enugu State government stated that Ekpa’s criminal activities would not be tolerated, emphasizing that the illegal sit-at-home has already ended in the state.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State categorically declared that there is no sit-at-home order in the state, describing the recent disruptions as the actions of miscreants seeking to instill fear and disrupt daily activities.
Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also weighed in on the issue, urging South East governors to ensure that miscreants enforcing sit-at-home orders do not overpower the people. He emphasized the need for alternative methods to pressure the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu, rather than resorting to frequent sit-at-home orders that adversely affect lives and the economy.
In response to the ongoing situation, the Imo State Police Command assured the public that they are taking necessary measures to address the sit-at-home order and apprehend those responsible for the violence. The command warned that any individuals involved in enforcing the unlawful order would face the full force of the law.
As tensions continue to rise, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether further measures will be taken to address the underlying issues and restore peace in the affected regions.
Source: VanguardNGR