You cannot force people to go out on Mondays, IPOB tells Gov Soludo

From Ifeoma Ejiofor

Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) yesterday told Gov Charles Soludo that he cannot force people to go to market or work on Mondays.

IPOB also warned Gov Soludo, against penalizing residents who observe the Monday sit-at-home in the state, describing the action as a peaceful and voluntary form of protest.

IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful in a statement on Sunday criticized reported threats by the state government to sanction citizens who remain indoors on Mondays in solidarity with the group’s detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB said the sit-at-home is a civil protest rooted in personal choice and does not amount to criminal conduct even as the group urged Gov Soludo to respect the democratic right of residents to express dissent through non-violent means.

Recall that Anambra State government has last week threatened to start paying salaries of civil servants and teachers on prorata basis as anyone who fails to go to work on Mondays will not get his or her full salary.

IPOB argued that remaining at home as a form of protest does not constitute rebellion or misconduct. The group said any attempt to criminalize peaceful protest undermines citizens’ dignity and democratic rights.

Emma Powerful maintained that IPOB does not coerce residents to observe the sit-at-home order, noting that participation is voluntary.

IPOB however insisted that the government has no right to force citizens to go about their activities against their will.