Sit at home is over, go back to schools, business, Ohanaeze urges S\East residents

 

,Buhari urged to honour Mbazulike Amechi with the release of Kanu

OBIORA IFOH, Abuja

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, has urged residents of South East region  to go about their normal businesses every Monday of the week because the era of Monday si-at- home is gone.

 

He encouraged all the schools in the South East to commence their usual academic activities without any fear of molestation.

 

“The transporters and traders that come to the South East of Nigeria from all parts of the country and the Cameroons are also advised to feel free to come and transact their businesses. This is because, the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cancelled the Monday Sit-at-Home Order they had earlier issued.

 

The President-General, who spoke thorough its National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia,lauded the understanding and maturity exhibited by the IPOB during the Anambra State governorship election and the cancellation of the Monday Sit at Home.

 

He Sau:  “They have indeed scored two major points: First, the Igbo detractors and doomsayers were disappointed that the election was a resounding success. Second is that the IPOB can listen to appeal by the elders.

 

“It is very heartwarming that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worlwide, Traditional Rulers, Archbishops, Governors, eminent persons, women groups, political class, the academia, etc in Igbo land are united in the Release-Nnamdi-Kanu-Project. This has proved to the skeptics that the Igbo unity is incontrovertible and that they can also be mobilized within a very short time.

 

“There is no gainsaying the diverse views and persuasions among the Igbo but the maturity in the Igbo republicanism is the rare capacity to unite for a common interest any time the need arises.

 

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo thereby call on all the market associations, road transport unions, labour leaders and all the interest groups to sensitize their members towards full economic activities in all parts of Igbo land on Mondays.

 

“As the Christmas season approaches, it is expected that the volume of business transactions will be on the increase. It is to the advantage of the Igbo land that financial inflow into the South East within the period is not encumbered by any means. While the huge losses incurred in the last months because of the Sit-at-Home is highly regrettable, efforts must be made to ensure that further losses are averted,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to honour elder statesman and First Republic Parliamentarian, Chief Mbazulike Amechi with the release of the Indigenous People of Biafran, IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally.

 

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and Director General, Voice of Nigeria VON, Mr Osita Okechukwu also urged IPOB to sheathe its sword and work with other Igbo leaders of thought to actualize the dream of having a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in 2023.

 

Addressing journalists Sunday in Abuja, Mr Okechukwu said, “I join Ohaneze Ndigbo, eminent constitutional lawyer and Chairman, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Prof Ben Nwabueze, and people of goodwill nationwide in commending President Muhammadu Buhari for accepting to consider the release of held leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPoB, Nnamdi Kanu.

 

“I also appeal to IPOB to support Nigerian President of Igbo extraction 2023 project. Methinks IPOB support will kill two birds with one stone.” Okechukwu submitted.

 

It would be recalled that Igbo leaders led by the First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, had visited President Buhari in Aso Rock at the weekend, where they requested the president to release the IPOB leader, who was intercepted in Kenya in June this year.

 

Kanu had fled Nigeria in 2017, jumping bail after his Afaraukwu home in Abia State was invaded by soldiers. He is being tried of treason.

 

Asked if IPOB support for the Igbo 2023 project is a precondition for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Mr Okechukwu answered in the negative.

 

“Capital No! It is not a precondition. All I am saying is that Mr President and a host of other Nigerians are silently in support of Nigerian president of Igbo extraction 2023 project but are weary and reticent of IPOB’s stance. Therefore, in my little opinion, IPOB support of our project will kill two birds with one stone.” Okechukwu explained.

 

According to him, “one stone is the release of Mazi Kanu while the other is the return of economic activities to the geopolitical zone and thirdly IPOB support will no doubt rekindle wider support of Nigeria president of Igbo extraction 2023 project.

 

“My understanding of IPOB agitation is to end Igbo marginalization. If that is the case, then our 2023 Nigerian President of Igbo extraction will be the end of the civil war. Nigerians are waiting for IPOB to change gear”, he added.

 

President Buhari had during the visit of some Igbo leaders last week said even though he would not interfere with the operations of the Judiciary, he would nonetheless consider their plea for the release of Mr Kanu.

 

“You have made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years since I became president, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary.

 

“I said that the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from the outside. I feel it is even a favour to give him that opportunity”, Buhari had said.