Simon Ekpa, the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has announced a two-week sit-at-home protest in the South East region of the country.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Ekpa declared that the sit-at-home protest will take place from July 31, 2023, to August 14, 2023.
In a tweet issued during the early hours of Tuesday, Ekpa issued a fresh threat of another lockdown, saying it is in response to the demand from Biafran people who are clamouring for increased civil disobedience.
“Following the demand by the Biafra people for more sit at home civil disobedience, the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE) and Biafra De Facto Government In Homeland wish to notify Biafrans that there will be a sit-at-home civil disobedience starting from 31 July, 2023 to 14 August, 2023,” Ekpa said.
He said the protest aims to secure the immediate and unconditional release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is being held at the DSS dungeon.
Furthermore, Ekpa highlighted that the sit-at-home protest is also a step towards Biafra’s self-referendum, demonstrating that Biafrans are taking charge of their destiny. He explained that the protest aims to invalidate the legitimacy of individuals who claim to represent Nigeria within Biafran territory.
According to the statement, the sit-at-home protest will follow this schedule: total lockdown in ‘Biafraland’ from Monday, July 31, 2023, to Friday, August 4, 2023. On Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7, the protest will be on break, allowing for the opening of all ‘Biafran markets’. Another total lockdown will be observed from Monday, August 7, to Friday, August 11, 2023. The protest will take another break on Saturday, August 12, and Sunday, August 13, 2023, with the reopening of ‘Biafran markets’. Finally, on Monday, August 14, 2023, there will be a lockdown in ‘Biafraland’.
Ekpa called upon all market leaders to strictly adhere to the sit-at-home order and treat it with the utmost seriousness. He also urged all oil companies operating in the Biafran territory to halt oil exploration during these dates to avoid the potential backlash from the Biafran people.
The announcement of the sit-at-home order came shortly after a closed-door meeting of South East political leaders, who aimed to address the security challenges in the region. Notable figures, including governors, national and state assembly members, and other leaders, attended the meeting held in Abuja.
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, expressed that all leaders across political party lines have agreed to work together for the benefit of the region.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, stated that the meeting discussed the prevailing security challenges and highlighted the planned high-powered delegation that would seek an audience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
