Dare Babalola
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Monitoring and evaluation, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has cautioned Anambra Governor Charles Soludo against suddenly lifting the Monday sit-at-home order suddenly, warning it could escalate insecurity in the South-East.
Aguocha, who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, made this warning via a statement on Wednesday, emphasising the potential risks of abrupt action.
The lawmaker argued that initiatives by him and other stakeholders to stabilise the region were gradually yielding results before the governor’s recent intervention.
He also cautioned that the ongoing imprisonment of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government would keep fuelling unrest and violence in the region.
While alleging that Governor Soludo’s actions had unsettled a fragile peace that was slowly returning to the South-East, he lamented that, “Governor Soludo, unfortunately, has unleashed terror on an army of silent agitators who, for so long, had helped to abate the significance of the Monday sit-at-home rituals.”
He highlighted that over the last three years, many markets, plazas, and shopping centres across the South-East had gradually returned to normalcy.
“I have worked tirelessly in this direction, and peace was steadily returning to our rural and commercial trading centres,” he noted.
While acknowledging that the governor’s intention to end the sit-at-home might be well-meaning, Hon. Aguocha, however, argued that the method adopted was counterproductive.
“The Governor’s effort has been executed in the most unconstructive and unacceptable manner.
“These misguided ordinances and actions have reignited embers of fear, hardened resistance, and resurrected old resentments which, if left unchecked, could plunge the region into renewed violence, serious crimes, and widespread criminality,” he said.
Hon. Aguocha, who emphasised that the state government has no legal authority to compel private business owners to open or close their shops, maintained that: “Governor Soludo cannot force, punish, or compel private business owners to close or open their shops, or to trade or refrain from trading.”
He further questioned whether similar punitive measures would be applied to those who close their businesses early on Wednesdays to attend midweek religious services.
“Such decisions fall squarely within the ambit of their fundamental rights and are not governed by any state, labour, or market-union relationship,” Aguocha noted.
On the broader security crisis, Hon. Aguocha said the failure of the Federal Government to address core grievances in the region remained a major driver of unrest.
“Until the Nigerian state genuinely and sincerely addresses the unjust detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the bias in the administration of criminal justice, the marginalisation and entrenched hostility against the Igbo people, and the root causes of youth agitation, we must brace ourselves for a vicious cycle of resentment,” he warned.
He also cautioned against attempts to coerce political support from the South-East, saying: “If nothing urgent is done, no one should expect votes from the region on the basis of being coerced, manipulated, or compelled. Our votes will count, and we will defend them, even at the cost of our lives,” he said.
Hon. Aguocha, who pledged to continue pursuing “the best path towards freedom and justice” as a member of the House of Representatives, said he remained guided by the hopes and prayers of his constituents.
