Why Nnamdi Kanu Cannot Openly Denounce IPOB’s Sit-At-Home – Abaribe

Why Nnamdi Kanu Cannot Openly Denounce IPOB’s Sit-At-Home – Abaribe

Nigerian Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has addressed the reason why Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), cannot publicly cancel the controversial sit-at-home orders in the South-east region of Nigeria…CONTINUE READING

Abaribe, who represents Abia South District in the Senate, spoke on a Channels TV programme called “Hardcopy” on Friday night.

IPOB had introduced a sit-at-home order every Monday across the South-east to pressure the Nigerian government to release Kanu, who is facing trial for alleged terrorism. While the group initially suspended the order to apply only on days Kanu appeared in court, many residents have continued to observe the sit-at-home out of fear.

Read Also Flood: NiMet Predicts 3-Day Heavy Rainfall In Many States (FULL LIST)

A faction of IPOB led by Simon Ekpa has persisted in declaring the sit-at-home, even after the main faction led by Kanu suspended it. In late July, Kanu reportedly ordered Ekpa to stop issuing sit-at-home orders in the region, but Ekpa dismissed the order as “fake” and insisted on continuing the action.

Abaribe explained that Kanu had disowned the sit-at-home order during a meeting that Abaribe and other Igbo leaders had with Kanu in 2022. The leaders included former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Catholic Bishop Godfrey Onah, Anglican Bishop Johnson Onuoha, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretary-General Okey Emuchay.

According to Abaribe, Kanu denounced the sit-at-home and urged IPOB to make a public announcement about it during the meeting.

Regarding Kanu’s recent order conveyed through his lawyer, Abaribe noted that Kanu’s ongoing trial and detention at the State Security Service (SSS) facility prevented him from making a public broadcast. Abaribe emphasized that without a court order, Kanu could not give a verbal or TV interview.

Abaribe revealed that South-east leaders are working to secure Kanu’s release to address growing insecurity in the region. They have realized that some enforcers of the sit-at-home are using the pretext of seeking Kanu’s release to cause violence and chaos in the area.