Igbo Group Declares February 2 Sit-at-Home in Solidarity With Onitsha Traders, Nnamdi Kanu

 

IPOB 

An Igbo socio-political group, the Igbo Ministers Commission, has announced a one-day sit-at-home scheduled for Monday, February 2, across parts of the South-East in solidarity with traders in Onitsha and other parts of Anambra State.

In a statement signed by its President, Rev. Anthony Uzor, the group said traders in Onitsha and across Anambra have continued to suffer significant financial losses while maintaining what it described as a self-imposed protest in support of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

According to the statement, the traders have consistently appealed to political leaders in the South-East, particularly Igbo governors, to take decisive steps toward securing Kanu’s release, similar to actions allegedly taken by leaders in other regions on behalf of their own people.

The group accused Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of responding to the situation with what it described as a confrontational and heavy-handed approach rather than dialogue. It argued that the traders, many of whom were active during Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles, would not be easily intimidated.

The Igbo Ministers Commission said the planned sit-at-home is intended as a solidarity action across Biafraland, aimed at supporting traders in Onitsha and pressuring the Anambra State Government to adopt dialogue rather than force in resolving the impasse.

The statement also noted that IPOB had previously called off regular sit-at-home protests but retained the option as a strategic measure to be applied when deemed necessary. It added that the February 2 sit-at-home would be a one-day action only, emphasizing that it is not intended to be prolonged.

According to the group, discussions with traders in Onitsha and surrounding areas are expected to resume from February 3, with the aim of reaching a consensus and charting a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute.

The group concluded by calling on Igbo communities to remain united and peaceful, warning that escalating tensions could destabilize the region if not properly managed through dialogue.