The Ebonyi State Government has warned that traders who close their shops to observe the sit-at-home order of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) today, Wednesday, May 30, 2018, would forfeit it forever.

The state Governor, Chief David Umahi, who disclosed this yesterday at the occasion marking this year's Democracy anniversary and three years of his administration held at the Ngele Oruta Township stadium Abakaliki, noting that such order would not be observed in the state.

“We were terribly marginalized during our days in the old Anambra, Enugu and Abia states and seriously making efforts to find our feet which make us need no distraction.

He noted that any trader that closes shop on the day would forfeit it forever and any protest would be decisively dealt with.

“Ebonyi citizens should go about their businesses peacefully and safely and if the south-east governors say we don’t want IPOB activities, it does not mean that we are happy with the zone’s marginalisation in the country,” he said.

He noted that the way IPOB was pursuing the course was not right and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo took the right action in the comity of Ndigbo sons and daughters.

“We call on the Federal Government (FG) to look into the plight of south-east and address the issue of marginalisation because we believe in one Nigeria and sanctity of human lives.

Umahi commended the organisers of the event and the chairmen of the 13 Local Government Areas (LGA) for its success noting that mobilisation of citizens was awesome.

“I demanded for 1million people to be mobilised for the event but I am told that you mobilised 1.2 million which demonstrates your belief and commitment that our government is of divine mandate.

The governor used the occasion to mention his government’s achievements in education, health, agriculture, infrastructural development, commerce and industry, human empowerment among others.

Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, congratulated citizens of the state and entire Nigerians at the occasion,

“We have a unique way of celebrating the democracy day as I am proud to be a citizen of Ebonyi and also proud to be associated with the Chief David Umahi-led administration.

Anyim who is the chairman of the occasion told the people that the governor would surpass his present achievements during his second term in office as the governor.

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