Empty streets as IPOB’s sit-at-home order cripples Enugu

[From CHUKS EZE, Enugu]

Economic and social activities in Enugu State were totally paralyzed, Thursday, as the anti-Buhari sit-at-home order issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), recorded maximum compliance across the State.

Major streets, private and public offices including markets, schools and banks, among others were apparently deserted.

Travelers were seen stranded at various bus stops across the city center as they waited endlessly for vehicles to convey them to their destinations.

Similarly, a visit to some markets around town showed that several prospective shoppers were seen wandering round the markets without success.

Even the ongoing Nigerian National League (NNL) Super 8 championship tagged “2021 Enugu Super 8 Competition” was also affected as all matches that were hitherto scheduled to hold today were canceled

It was gathered that the match between Gombe United Football Club and DMD Football Club was earlier stopped midway, Wednesday, due to flooded pitch, and later rescheduled for Thursday morning. But due to the sit-at-home directive, nobody showed up for the match or any programme of the day.

When our Correspondent visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, venue of the championship, all entrance gates were under lock and key.

A security personnel at the gate told or correspondent that all activities of the tournament had been put off by the NNL to avoid possible unwarranted happenstances.

It would be recalled that the IPOB had, Tuesday, issued a statement ordering residents of the Southeast States to stay back at their homes on September 9, 2021, in opposition to the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the zone.

The Oracle Today had learnt that the sit-at-home was issued by IPOB in protest of the continued detention of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by the federal government as well as alleged ill treatment of the zone by the Buhari administration.

Reacting to the development, a German-based Nigerian showbiz maestro, Mac Wilson, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the empty streets across the Southeast was a loud assertion of the zone’s disaffection of the Buhari administration.

According to him, the sit-at-home protest was witnessed by the whole world, adding that Ndigbo deserve accolades for being united over the initiative.

“I am happy that the whole world witnessed the real stand and notion of Ndigbo about the present administration.

“They are tired, disappointed and dejected. They need some space, they need freedom” he said.