The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has urged residents of the South-East to ignore the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The group described the sit-at-home directive as unnecessary, self-serving and harmful to the economic well-being of the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ohanaeze youth body called on people across the five South-East states to go about their lawful businesses and daily activities without fear.
The call followed the declaration of a sit-at-home by IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, who announced that the order would take effect on Monday, February 2, across the South-East.
The sit-at-home was reportedly declared as part of an ongoing dispute involving traders at the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State and the state government led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
IPOB said the action was meant to protest issues surrounding the market and other grievances in the region.
However, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council strongly opposed the move, saying sit-at-home actions have brought more harm than good to the South-East.
The group’s National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said the region could no longer afford repeated shutdowns that cripple businesses, schools and public life.
According to him, sit-at-home has proved to be a non-profitable venture that only deepens poverty and hardship among the people.
He also argued that the directive does not represent the interest of the average Igbo person who depends on daily economic activities for survival.
“The sit-at-home directive is self-serving and does not mean well for Ndigbo,” Okwu said.
He recalled that the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had on several occasions publicly spoken against sit-at-home actions in the South-East.
According to Okwu, Kanu had described sit-at-home as economic sabotage against the region.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu spoke clearly that he was against it; he described it as economic sabotage against the South-East,” he said.
He questioned why anyone would still declare a sit-at-home in the name of Biafra agitation despite Kanu’s clear position on the issue.
“Why then will anyone come again and say he is declaring sit-at-home?” Okwu asked.
“The implication is that it is an ego trip by those who do not mean well for Ndigbo.”
Okwu further stated that the sit-at-home order had already been disowned by IPOB’s Directorate of State (DOS), which he said made the directive even more questionable.
He warned residents not to allow any group or individual to use the Biafra struggle as an excuse to destroy the South-East economy.
“Nobody should obey such a reckless directive,” he said.
“People should stop hiding under Biafra agitation to destroy Igbo land. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is never in support of anything that is bringing harm to our people.”
The Ohanaeze youth leader also threw his weight behind Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, saying the governor’s actions should not be used as an excuse to shut down the entire region.
In recent weeks, tension has risen in Anambra State following actions taken by the state government at the Onitsha Main Market, one of the largest commercial centres in West Africa.
The market, which serves traders from across Nigeria and beyond, has been at the centre of controversy involving allegations of illegal structures, sanitation concerns and enforcement of state regulations.
Governor Soludo’s administration has said its actions are aimed at restoring order, safety and proper planning in the market.
However, some traders and groups have accused the government of being harsh, leading to protests and calls for intervention.
The IPOB sit-at-home order is believed to be linked to this dispute, although the Anambra State government has maintained that it is acting in the interest of public order and development.
Ohanaeze youths said while disagreements may exist, shutting down the South-East is not the solution.
Okwu urged Onitsha Main Market traders and traders in other markets across the region to open their shops and continue their normal businesses.
“We urge Onitsha Main Market traders, and indeed every other market, private and public institutions in the region, to ensure that they open for normal businesses and activities tomorrow,” he said.
He added that fear has caused serious damage to the South-East economy in recent years.
Since the introduction of sit-at-home orders in the region, many businesses have suffered huge losses, with traders losing millions of naira on days when markets are forced to shut.
Schools, banks, hospitals and transport services have also been affected, disrupting daily life and access to essential services.
In some cases, residents have stayed indoors not out of support, but out of fear of attacks by unknown persons enforcing the orders.
Security agencies have reported incidents of violence, arson and intimidation linked to sit-at-home enforcement, although IPOB has often denied involvement in such acts.
Community leaders and business groups have repeatedly called for an end to sit-at-home actions, saying they scare away investors and worsen unemployment.
The South-East is known as a commercial hub, with millions of people relying on trading, transport and small businesses to survive.
Ohanaeze youths said continued shutdowns only push the region backward and make it harder to compete economically with other parts of the country.
They called on the federal and state governments to continue efforts to restore security and confidence in the region.
The group also appealed to youths to resist being used for actions that damage their own future.
As Monday approaches, residents are now faced with a choice between obeying the sit-at-home order or heeding the call by Ohanaeze youths to go about their normal lives.
Many traders say they are tired of losing income and want peace to return fully to the region.