In a plea to halt the enforcement of sit-at-home orders in the South East, Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe of Abia South has emphasized the negative impact these actions are having on the region’s economy and the discouragement they present to potential investors.
Abaribe, during an interview on Flo 94.9 FM’s program, ‘South East Political Roundtable,’ stated that the continued enforcement of sit-at-home was unnecessary considering the call for its suspension by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The seasoned Senator, who also served as the Deputy Governor of Abia State, expressed regret over the substantial losses suffered by the South East economy, which amounts to approximately N7 trillion since the commencement of the sit-at-home crisis. He revealed that some businessmen are now contemplating relocating their investments to alternative regions like Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State.
During a visit to the Department of State Service (DSS) detention facility, Abaribe disclosed that Kanu personally assured him and other Igbo leaders that he had not ordered any form of violence or harassment in the name of sit-at-home.
Meanwhile, the Abia South Senator criticized Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based activist, for threatening former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim due to his expressed opinion on the Biafra agitation strategy. Abaribe adamantly affirmed that he cannot be intimidated for speaking his mind.
While acknowledging the marginalization of the Igbo people in Nigerian affairs, Senator Abaribe emphasized that this is not justification for inciting hostility among one’s own people. He also criticized President Bola Tinubu for his lopsided ministerial appointments, favoring five geopolitical zones over others, and called on the National Assembly to address this disparity.
Highlighting the constitutional recommendation for ministerial slots, Abaribe pointed out that the South East only received five positions, while President Bola Tinubu increased the allotted slots for the other geopolitical zones. He further noted that this is a continuation of the appointment style employed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, which prioritizes the South West.
However, Abaribe challenged the people of the South East to form political coalitions extending beyond the region if they aspire to secure the Presidency. He lauded Peter Obi for exemplifying the potential of achieving this goal through a “beyond-a-zone coalition.”
“Nobody grants you the Presidency. You must fight for it, build coalitions, relationships, and movements,” Abaribe stated, emphasizing that power is not handed on a platter.
Furthermore, the former Deputy Governor of Abia disclosed that the South East Caucus in the National Assembly has reached a consensus to work collectively in the interest of the people, assuring that this alliance will yield positive results for the region.
