Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A significant intervention has emerged in the ongoing debate over a proposed sit‑at‑home order purportedly scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, across Nigeria’s South‑East region. Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a human rights lawyer and lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), issued a public statement this weekend urging residents to completely disregard what he described as a “fraudulent” and “compromised” directive circulating on social media.
The sit‑at‑home notice, widely attributed online to IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, called for a total shutdown of economic and social activities across the five South‑East states of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo. The message was framed as a show of solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market following the state government’s decision to close the market for one week — a move that had already heightened tensions between authorities and some economic actors in the region.
In response to the viral posts, Ejiofor released a statement on Saturday categorically rejecting the legitimacy of the sit‑at‑home order. He maintained that the source operating under the alias “Emma Powerful” had been “hijacked by vested interests” and was acting “against the collective interests of Ndi‑Igbo.” Ejiofor’s remarks labelled the announcement a “phantom” and a “calculated falsehood,” warning that residents should go about their lawful and normal activities without fear or interruption.
Ejiofor’s statement stressed that IPOB — which has historically been associated with calls for periodic shutdowns as part of broader sociopolitical campaigns — had formally and decisively distanced itself from the alleged February 2 directive. The lawyer emphasised that any future communications attributed to the so‑called “Emma Powerful” platform should be treated with “extreme suspicion” or “outright contempt,” given its perceived unreliability and potential to disrupt peace and stability in the region.
The legal counsel’s remarks come amid a backdrop of uncertainty and anxiety among residents and traders across the South‑East, many of whom have been grappling with the implications of repeated sit‑at‑home calls in recent years. While some community members and businesses have expressed concern over the economic disruption and risks to personal safety associated with enforced shutdowns, state authorities have increasingly sought to enforce normal economic activities and discourage compliance with unsanctioned directives.
In separate responses, political actors and civil society groups have weighed in on the situation, with some urging calm and emphasising the importance of verified information in a climate often rife with misinformation. Meanwhile, other voices have underscored the ongoing importance of protecting civil liberties, including the right to protest or assemble, while balancing these rights against the broader socioeconomic needs of communities already under strain. Observers note that the dispute over the sit‑at‑home call reflects deeper tensions surrounding governance, market regulation, and grassroots mobilisation in the South‑East, particularly as Nigeria approaches future electoral cycles and navigates persistent calls for regional autonomy or political recognition.
As of the latest reports, no widespread observance of the proposed February 2 shutdown has been confirmed on the ground, and many residents appear to have heeded the lawyer’s advice by continuing normal activities over the weekend. Authorities and community leaders remain vigilant, underscoring the sensitivity of public order and the potential impact of circulating directives without verified origins.
The situation continues to develop, and stakeholders across political and civic domains are monitoring responses from both local populations and national institutions as they seek clarity and stability in the region.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments