By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has saluted the people of Anambra State for observing the Monday sit-at-home despite threats by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Residents, including traders, had stayed indoors on Monday because of the sit-at-home directive, forcing the governor to shut down Onitsha Main Market for one week. It was gathered that the shutdown could be extended to a month if traders refuse to open their shops next week Monday.

Reacting in a statement on Monday, IPOB, through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the people of Anambra have spoken.

IPOB also warned Governor Soludo to stop threatening to close markets in the state.

The statement reads: "The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, sincerely thanks and salutes the great people of Anambra State for today’s peaceful sit-at-home observed in solidarity with our leader.

"Ndi Anambra have once again shown the world that dignity is more valuable than money, and that sacrifice is sometimes required in the pursuit of justice and freedom. At a time when other ethnic groups in Nigeria openly defend their own and protect their collective interests, Ndị Igbo have continued to demonstrate uncommon courage by demanding the release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

"It is therefore disappointing and unacceptable that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo—who once visited Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention and knows the truth—has chosen to turn around and threaten the same people he swore to protect, merely to impress Abuja interests that have never prioritised the wellbeing of the Igbo race."

IPOB told the traders to ignore the closure of the market by the government and open their shops from Tuesday.

Asking the people to ignore what it described as intimidation, the statement added: "IPOB calls on all law-abiding residents and business owners across Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka to troop out en masse tomorrow and open their shops and markets peacefully.

"No Governor, even the one aspiring to please his Abuja masters has the power to punish citizens for peacefully exercising their conscience. No administration has the right to weaponise markets against the people. The threats to shut down markets for the rest of the week are not governance—they are intimidation, and Ndi Anambra must not surrender their rights to fear. Any entity preventing the opening of our markets on Tuesday will have something greater than them to contend with."

The pro-Biafra group urged Soludo to campaign for Nnamdi Kanu's release, instead of fighting his own people.

"Governor Soludo must understand that the sit-at-home remains what it has always been: a civil disobedience and silent protest against injustice.

"If Governor Soludo understands democracy, he should know that democracy is not measured by intimidation, task forces, or threats. Democracy is measured by respect for the freedom of thought, conscience, and lawful protest.

"Ndi Anambra have shown honour and courage. But Governor Soludo has regrettably shown that he is prepared to trade the people’s dignity for political convenience."

Stressing that the era of warrant chiefs in the South-East is gone, IPOB said: "We are not slaves in our ancestral land. The era of warrant chiefs enforcing colonial interests against their own people is long gone. Anambra people will not be ruled by threats and blackmail. Governor Soludo will not remain in office forever. The day he leaves office, history will judge his choices—and the people will remember who stood with them and who stood against them."

IPOB demanded Nnamdi Kanu's release, saying: "The solution is straightforward: Release Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Until that is done, the demand for justice will not disappear. We urge all Ndị Igbo to remain peaceful, disciplined and focused. This struggle is moral, lawful and historic—and intimidation will not stop a people determined to be free."

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