“We No Longer Take Orders From Non-State Actors, No More Sit-At-Home in Enugu,” Governor Mbah Tells Tinubu

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has declared that the era of sit-at-home directives in the state is over, emphasizing that Enugu residents no longer take orders from non-state actors. Speaking during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the state to inaugurate various projects, Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s efforts to restore normalcy and foster development.

“We no longer observe sit-at-home in Enugu,” Mbah stated. “Our people go to work every day of the week, and we no longer take orders from non-state actors.”

The sit-at-home directive, initially introduced by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to demand the release of their detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, had disrupted daily life in the Southeast for years. Although IPOB later distanced itself from enforcing the order, it was hijacked by other groups, causing significant economic and social harm. To counter this, Mbah’s administration introduced strict measures, including a June 2023 warning that schools, markets, and businesses that adhered to the directive would face indefinite closure.

The governor noted that ending the sit-at-home order was a crucial step in ensuring security, promoting quality education, and providing affordable healthcare—key pillars of his vision for Enugu’s development.

Mbah also praised President Tinubu for bold policy decisions, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange system, which he said have freed up resources for infrastructure and social development. “We are now able to complete projects, not just in physical infrastructure but also in social and digital infrastructure,” Mbah said, acknowledging the federal government’s ongoing support.

The sit-at-home controversy remains a sensitive issue. In 2023, Nnamdi Kanu wrote a letter instructing Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based figure linked to the directive, to cancel all sit-at-home actions. However, Ekpa dismissed the letter as fake, alleging it was a ploy by the Department of State Services (DSS). He was later arrested on terrorism-related charges.