Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, has advised people of the South-East to disregard Mr Simon Ekpa’s announcement of a one-week sit-at-home in the zone.
Ekpa had declared a one-week sit-at-home period beginning today, July 3, 2023.
Despite the mainstream leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, stopping the practise, the Finland-based Biafra agitator has continued to spearhead regular Monday sit-at-homes in the South-East.
Several groups, people, and state governments have also criticised the sit-in, expressing concern over the zone’s economic effects.
However, Ekpa has once again requested that residents in the South-East remain at home for one week.
Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of Ohanaeze Youths, asked South-East citizens to disregard Ekpa’s directive in a statement obtained by newsmen on Monday.
Okwu, who called Ekpa’s decision authoritarian, said there was no reason for someone to relax in his comfortable residence in Finland and then issue orders prohibiting others from seeking their daily bread for one week.
The youth group said, “We have always made it clear that Simon Ekpa is not fighting for Biafra; he is only using the name of Biafra to enrich himself.
“He is also not interested in having Mazi Nnamdi Kanu released because he knows any day Kanu is released, his business will end.
“So, he goes ahead taking decisions, issuing orders that would lead to the prolonged detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“One of such is his senseless and unjustified sit-at-home orders. How could you ask the breadwinner of a home to sit-at-home for one week and watch himself and his family members starve to death? It is utterly senseless.
“It is even more deceitful considering that the person issuing the order is in far away Finland enjoying himself.
“Ndigbo should, therefore, not take him seriously; come out and go about your normal business. There is no sit-at-home anywhere.”
Okwu added that even the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had also condemned the sit-at-home, stating clearly that it was not in the best interest of the people of the zone.
“For Ekpa to be promoting it against the directive of the IPOB leader, Kanu shows that he is on a personal mission and should be ignored,” Okwu added.