Mixed reactions have reportedly greeted the two-day sit-at-home by residents of Anambra State which commenced on Monday to end Tuesday.
Apart from the normal Monday sit-at-home, that of Tuesday, this paper gathered is sequel to the directive from Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, that business activities be shut in solidarity any day Nnamdi Kanu’s case comes come up in court .
Consequently, Monday and Tuesday this week are public holidays in the entire Southeast zone even as mixed reactions have greeted the two -day public holiday.
Recall that the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr. Echeng E. Echeng, in a press briefing recently in his office at Awka, State capital, said that, “there is nothing like sit-at-home and unknown gunmen in Anambra”
“People should go about their legitimate business and report to us any strange persons that seem to do something evil”
But in a swift reaction to the two-day sit-at-home, a resident of Onitsha who identified himself as Mr. Onyema Achiha, said that, ” the two-day sit-at-home serves the people of the Southeast right because we are the architect of our own problem”
“Our politicians who are representing us in the three tiers of government are selfish . Always interested in what will benefit them, so let them give that money that goes to their pocket to unknown gunmen who enforce a non existent sit-at-home”
“If they see me dying they are not ready to help me. Scores of downtrodden people are out there in the streets begging for alms but these self centered lawmakers will turn their faces to the other side when ever they see the poor”
“Left for me let the sit-at-home last for one month so that the poor will storm their houses and collect money and foodstuff stored in their warehouses and kitchen”
Contribution, Mrs Nneka Nkechikwue ,a civil servant based in Bayelsa State said, “I came on Saturday to make purchases for Tuesday but nobody told me that the Tuesday is another holiday and so I have to stay put until Wednesday”
“I only know of Monday, I don’t know that any day Nnamdi Kanu’ will appear in court is added public holiday in Biafran land”.
Some youths seen playing football at the Nkwo triangle axis Nnewi, told this reporter that, “we enjoy the two-day public holiday because our business is not progressing again.
So we play ball, drink and make merry on days like this. Until the economy is revived, Government should leave us alone”
At Nkpor Junction near Onitsha, a carpenter who pleaded anonymity said that, “things are getting worse these days. The only people enjoying this sit-at-home are the civil servants because they must receive their salary come rain, come sunshine”
Chief Madueme from Okpoko, Onitsha suburb, expressed satisfaction that people are learning their lessons now, adding that, “any Monday sit-at-home I join some people in their streets to make merry.
We drink, eat and exchange ideas and discuss politics but on work days I don’t have time for such, I enjoy free days or holidays”.
Meanwhile, beer parlours, play grounds, streets and major roads that used to bubble on previous Mondays’ sit-at-home, this Monday were deserted sequel to reported cases of killings in here and there
Busy joints that include, Nkpor Junction, Ezeiweka/Onitsha/Owerri road, Ojedi/Oguta road, Nkwo triangle Nnewi, Nnobi junction, Aroma junction Awka, state capital, among others were completely deserted.
As usual, banks, schools, offices, courts, supper markets, petrol stations, markets and eateries remain shut.
The Onitsha/Enugu expressway, Onitsha/Asaba/Benin/Lagos expressway, Onitsha/Owerri road and the Onitsha/Otuocha/Nsukka road, were all deserted this Monday. END.
