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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Tuesday, September 13 a sit-at-home, the same day President Muhammadu Buhari is slated to visit Imo State to commission some of the projects of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
A statement by IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful said that there would be a total lockdown of the Southeast on that day in solidarity of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is billed to be in court in Abuja.
Powerful noted that it an affront to the people of Southeast for the president to visit the zone when their leader is still kept in detention.
The statement reads in part: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra under the command and leadership of our indefatigable liberator, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu, wish to announce to the general public, especially Biafrans that Tuesday 13th of September has been declared a day of civil action in the form of sit-at-home in Biafra land.
“First, our leader’s Appeal Court hearing that was supposed to be on October 11th has been brought forward to 13th September, 2022. As usual we call on Biafrans and lovers of freedom to demonstrate our solidarity with our leader who is bearing our yoke in detention for over a year now.
“IPOB never issued a new directives to Biafrans, but is simply implementing an existing order to lock down Biafra land any day the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra will appear in court at Abuja.
“There shall be a total lock down of the whole of Biafra land on Tuesday the 13th of September 2022. Buhari cannot be coming to Imo State while he continues to detain our leader, Mazi Nnamdi in the DSS custody.
“We, therefore, expect all markets, schools, banks, businesses and companies, including police stations in Biafra land to be under lock and key next week Tuesday, September 13th, 2022 in solidarity with our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
Meanwhile, the Imo State government yesterday said that all is set for the visit of President Buhari to the state on Tuesday to commission the dualised Owerri/Okigwe road Phase 1, Owerri/Orlu road and the refurbished State House of Assembly complex.
Briefing newsmen at the weekend on the visit, the state Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, noted that the three projects are dear to the governor following the duration the projects were neglected and terrible condition they were before they were fixed.
Emelumba expressed delight that the roads will boost the economy of the state.
He pointed out that “the Orlu/Owerri road had defied solution, but Governor Hope Uzodimma has fixed them, it took his determination, resilience and honesty to fix it, the road will change the economy of the state.
“ The State House of Assembly was abandoned for 10 years, governor as a legislator spent billions of naira rebuilding the complex, with new modern facilities.”
Some of the residents who spoke to our correspondent described the president’s second visit to Imo as a sign that the governor has done well.
On the IPOB threat, the commissioner assured those coming to welcome the president and residents of adequate security.
