An advocacy group, the APGA Media Warriors Forum, has described continued support for the Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State as a direct threat to the state’s economy and the collective interests of the Igbo people, while commending Governor Chukwuma Soludo for what it called “bold and necessary steps” to bring the practice to an end.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National Coordinator, Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, the group argued that the sit-at-home has inflicted severe economic damage on traders, artisans and small businesses across Anambra, insisting that those promoting it are “the actual enemies of Ndi Anambra and Igbo people at large.”
The group questioned why Anambra State appears to bear the brunt of the sit-at-home order, noting that the practice is no longer observed in neighbouring South-East states such as Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu and Abia.
“The question begging for answers is: why Anambra?” the statement asked. “While economic and social activities have largely returned to normal in other Igbo states on Mondays, some miscreants are pushing for continued paralysis in Anambra.”
The forum dismissed claims that the sit-at-home is a legitimate act of civil disobedience aimed at protesting the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. According to the group, such claims amount to self-deception and a cover for criminality.
It recalled that Mazi Kanu, in a widely circulated statement, had publicly distanced himself from the Monday sit-at-home and urged Igbo people to discontinue the practice.
“Those hiding under the name of civil disobedience are merely using Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s condition to perpetrate criminal acts and cripple the Igbo economy,” the statement said.
The group also rejected criticism that Governor Soludo should focus solely on advocating for Kanu’s release rather than confronting the sit-at-home, describing such arguments as “economical with the truth.
It maintained that Governor Soludo was the first sitting governor in the South-East to openly call for the unconditional release of Kanu.
According to the forum, shortly after assuming office, Soludo visited Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) detention facility, where both men held what it described as “a frank discussion.” It added that the governor has remained one of the most vocal proponents of Kanu’s release.
“The truth remains that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is fully in support of Governor Soludo’s efforts to end the Monday sit-at-home,” the statement asserted.
The APGA Media Warriors Forum called on residents of Anambra State to rally behind the governor, arguing that ending the sit-at-home is critical to economic recovery and long-term development.
“Governor Soludo is doing marvellously well in Anambra State, and he deserves the support of our people to enable him to do even more,” the group said.
The statement concluded with a call for collective action to revive the state’s economy, urging residents to reject the sit-at-home and return to normal economic activities.
“Say no to Monday sit-at-home to revive our state economy,” it said.
