Dare Babalola
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a scathing critique of Southeast political leaders, accusing them of “radio silence” during the legal struggles of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a post shared on Tuesday, Sowore claimed that regional leaders mistakenly believed the imprisonment of Kanu would “extinguish the agitation for Biafra.” Instead, he argued, the continued detention has only deepened the crisis, asserting that “repression has never defeated a just cause.”
The activist’s comments come amid a high-stakes standoff in Anambra State. On Monday, Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered a one-week shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and several adjoining markets. The move was a direct punitive measure against traders who complied with the illegal “Monday sit-at-home” order—a protest tactic used by separatist sympathizers that has crippled the regional economy for years.
Governor Soludo, who inspected the deserted markets personally, described the traders’ refusal to open for business as “plain economic sabotage.” He warned that the markets would remain sealed—potentially for months—until traders defy the sit-at-home enforcers and resume Monday operations.
Addressing Governor Soludo directly, Sowore remained defiant regarding the state’s crackdown on the markets.
“He may shut down every market in the world, nothing will change until justice is done,” Sowore stated.
The situation in the Southeast remains tense as the government attempts to use economic pressure to reclaim control of Mondays, while activists and separatist groups maintain that the “root cause”, Kanu’s imprisonment, remains unaddressed.
