IPOB Issues Stern Warning to Governor Soludo Over Alleged Intimidation of Monday Sit-At-Home Observers

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a strong warning to Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, urging him to desist from intimidating residents who voluntarily observe the Monday sit-at-home exercise. The group insists that the sit-at-home action is a form of peaceful protest demanding the release of their detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement released on Tuesday by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group made it clear that the people participating in the sit-at-home are doing so of their own accord, not under any duress or threat. According to the group, the sit-at-home exercise represents the collective frustration of the South-East region, particularly within the 13 “contiguous states” and the diaspora, over Kanu’s continued detention.

“Governor Soludo must understand that people voluntarily staying home on Mondays are simply expressing their demand for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. This is not enforced by any external threats but rather by the people’s deep affection and dedication to the cause,” the statement read.

Emma Powerful further criticized the South-East governors, including Soludo, for their perceived inaction in addressing Kanu’s detention. He claimed that the governors had failed to follow through on their promises to press for Kanu’s release in meetings with President Bola Tinubu.

“In nearly six months since your meeting in Enugu, where you resolved to meet the president, no significant steps have been taken to secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release,” Powerful stated. “The ongoing insecurity in Anambra and the wider region can be immediately addressed if Kanu is released, yet this solution remains ignored.”

The statement also accused South-East governors of benefiting financially from the ongoing insecurity, alleging that inflated security budgets allow them to profit from the unrest. IPOB asserts that the sit-at-home protests will continue as long as Kanu remains in detention and blames the governors for the escalating tension across the region.

“Those participating in the sit-at-home are exercising their right to peaceful protest and are not breaking any laws. Governor Soludo cannot force them to stop until their demand—the release of Nnamdi Kanu—is met,” the group concluded.

This latest statement highlights the continuing friction between IPOB and state governments in the South-East over the controversial sit-at-home directive, which has crippled economic activities in the region for months. Governor Soludo, who has been vocal in his opposition to the sit-at-home protests, has yet to respond to IPOB’s latest warning.