As Nigerians witnessed the first day of the 10 days proposed nationwide protest, the South East seems to be the only region with zero participation.
Our Correspondent who went round the Abia State Capital, gathered that the Umuahia city centre was a ghost town as some major Streets, Worker’s Secretariat and most Government offices were deserted amidst the protest with residents shunning economic activities akin to the usual to sit at home.
Recall that a nationwide protest was initiated by Nigerians to kick against bad governance which they alleged has given rise to untold hardship in the country. The 10 days protest was scheduled to hold across the nation from the 1st to 10th of August 2024.
It could be recalled that several Igbo groups had come out to urge the people to boycott the protest, recounting on past protests and their effects on the Igbo nation. The Apex Igbo social cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a Statement had called on the South Easterners to shun any demonstration against the government, following other calls from notable groups as well as Igbo leaders.
In a Live Broadcast in Umuahia, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, had warned Ndigbo to sit at home instead of the protest. According to him, the Igbo people are the worst hit in any protest, stressing that the blood of Ndigbo had been shared enough.
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Also, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had called on Ndigbo across Nigeria to refrain from participating in the ongoing nationwide protest, hash tagged "EndBadGovernance" protest.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the IPOB's spokesperson, highlighted the group's stance, advising that the current economic hardships in Nigeria should be addressed by Nigerians, not Biafrans.
The spokesperson emphasized that Biafrans have faced historical injustices and violence and should avoid further endangering themselves through participation in nationwide protests expressing concerns that involvement in the protests could lead to profiling and targeting of Ndigbo by the government, as experienced during the #EndSARS protests. The group also stressed that the focus for Biafrans should remain on their struggle for independence rather than engaging in Nigerian national issues.
IPOB advised that any protests regarding economic hardship should be held in Northern or Western Nigeria, as the Southeast region is already dealing with significant security challenges. The group urged caution and wisdom, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the Biafran people during these tumultuous times.
