Advertisement

Christian Leaders in Nigeria Back Protests to End Forced "sit-at-home" Order

Logo of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)/ Credit: CAN

Christian leaders in Nigeria’s Enugu State have joined civil society entities that are opposed to the forced “sit-at-home” order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group in the West African country.

Under their umbrella organization, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, the faith leaders laud the Monday, July 24 march by protesters who said that they were tired of the protracted “sit-at-home” orders by the separatist group that seeks to free their people (largely-Christian Igbo and a few other tribes) from the tensions of the rest of the country.

The faith leaders also lauded Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State who had, on June 5, banned the notorious Monday sit-at-home in the state and urged residents to go about their legitimate duties on that day. 

“There is no better way to show support for what the Enugu State governor is doing to end the Monday sit-at-home than this march,” Rev. Emmanuel Ede, Chairman CAN, Enugu State chapter said in a Tuesday, July 25 report.

IPOB leader, Simon Ekpa, issued an announcement on Tuesday, July 11 directing Biafrans in the South East zone to stay at home every Monday from 31 July 31 to August 14.

Advertisement

The self-acclaimed leader who is based in Finland said the disobedience was meant to push for the “immediate and unconditional” release of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who has remained in prison despite the court’s order to set him free.

Rev. Ede said that the march against the order imposed by IPOB “is a way to boost the morale and confidence of the people in the fact that they should go about their businesses.”

“The truth is that the Enugu state government has done much in ensuring the safety and well-being of the people through the provision of security, yet a good number of residents still stay indoors on Monday,” says the official of the Christian entity that includes representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

In the July 25 report, the Executive Director of Heroine Women Foundation, one of the civil societies that participated in the protests said that the mandatory order issued by the Finland-based IPOB leader is having a devastating effect on the economy of the residents as some residents have already started staying indoors for fear of attacks.

“How can you continue to do something that has not benefited you since it was started? We pay school fees and our children don’t go to school; businesses are shut on Mondays, not because traders and organizations want to shut their businesses,” Mrs. Onyinye Mammah is quoted as saying.

More in Africa

Mrs. Mammah adds, “A few people have decided to create anarchy, take laws into their hands and make life uncomfortable for others. We cannot continue this way and that is why we think there is a need to support Governor Mbah in his effort to end Monday sit-at-home.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.