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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Enugu residents yesterday went about their normal businesses in defiance to the sit-at-home order issued by Finland-based agitator, Simon Ekpa.
Daily Sun observed that after an initial lull in the morning hours, businesses later picked up in major areas of the state capital.
Markets in the metropolis, including Ogbete market, New Haven market and Abakpa market, were fully open for business. Motorists, both commercial and private, were seen on major roads as they headed to various destinations.
Simon Ekpa had insisted on shutting down business activities in the South East for two weeks, despite an express order contained in a letter personally written by the Leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, where he banned further sit-at-home protests in the South East.
Kanu had, in the letter to Ekpa, stated: “Simon, This is a direct order from me. I, hereby, instruct you to desist from calling for any sit-at-home, henceforth.
“Equally refrain from antagonising governors or persons in political positions because you are not in a position to know what they are doing on my behalf. I am ordering you to make a public announcement to the effect that you are in receipt of a direct order from me to cancel any pending or future sit-at-home order in place at the moment.
“I embarked on this movement to liberate our people, not to enslave them. I despise and will despise any person and entity that wishes to inflict unnecessary hardship on our people.”
Ekpa hastily dismissed Kanu’s letter, which was read to the press by Nnamdi Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, at a press conference in Enugu as fake and untrue.
However, the Spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful, confirmed the authenticity of the letter, insisting that Kanu’s letter was in the general interest of the South East.
The Monday sit-at-home order enforced by Simon Ekpa and his followers since August 2021 is reported to have caused the South East an estimated loss of N7.6 trillion in revenue, as well as lives and properties.
