Lawyer for Detained Biafra Leader Warns of Discord Amid Sit-at-Home Dispute
The lawyer for detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu has urged the Igbo ethnic group to remain vigilant against attempts to create division, as regional tensions escalate over the enforced Monday sit-at-home protests in Nigeria’s Southeast.
Aloy Ejimakor issued the caution in a statement via his official X account, following a controversial intervention by Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Last week, Governor Soludo ordered the shutdown of Onitsha Main Market, a major commercial hub, after traders failed to comply with the weekly sit-at-home directive. The governor’s action has drawn mixed reactions nationwide, dividing opinion between those who support his hardline stance on enforcing business activity and those who view it as heavy-handed.
In his statement, Ejimakor acknowledged the widespread desire to end the Monday shutdowns, which have crippled economic activity in the region for years. However, he stressed that resolving the issue required careful handling and addressing its root causes. “Amidst the controversy over the Monday sit-at-home, Ndigbo must be vigilant to any plots to seize the moment to sow discord in Igboland,” Ejimakor said. “While it’s desirable that the Sit-at-Home be ended (once & for all), it requires tact and a recognition of the main issue that triggered it.”
The sit-at-home, originally called by IPOB to protest the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu and alleged state oppression, has evolved into a contentious weekly norm. Non-compliance has often been met with intimidation and violence from suspected IPOB enforcers, leading to significant economic losses and social strain. Governor Soludo’s market closure represents one of the most direct governmental challenges to the practice, signaling a shift towards zero-tolerance enforcement in Anambra.
Ejimakor’s warning highlights the delicate interplay between communal welfare, economic necessity, and the lingering separatist sentiment championed by IPOB. His advice suggests that any sustainable solution must navigate the unresolved political grievances that fuel the protest, rather than relying solely on punitive measures. The lawyer implies that external or internal actors could exploit the current friction to deepen ethnic or regional fractures.
The situation places the Igbo leadership and populace at a crossroads, balancing the immediate need for economic revival with the complex political demands underlying the unrest. As security and civil society responses continue, the focus now turns to whether dialogue can address the foundational issues or if enforcement will further polarize the region. The outcome holds significant implications for stability and development in Nigeria’s Southeast.
