IPOB Accuses Anambra Govt of Propaganda Over Onitsha Sit-at-Home Compliance

Also Read

Group insists markets were fully shut, says intimidation of traders will not stand

By Rimawaglobalnews Reporter

Onitsha | South-East

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Anambra State Government and allied political actors of what it described as “lies and coordinated propaganda” following the recent sit-at-home observed in solidarity with traders of the Onitsha Main Market and other markets across the South-East.

In a press statement issued  by its spokesperson, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB said compliance with the sit-at-home was total, insisting that markets were shut and streets deserted across major cities in the region.

According to the group, the level of compliance extended to Aguata Local Government Area, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s home council, where it claimed government offices, schools, banks and parastatals were closed for the day.

IPOB alleged that attempts were later made to “manufacture a contrary narrative,” claiming that a small group of individuals, including security personnel and political party officials, were assembled to project an impression of normal commercial activity despite what it described as widespread lockdown.

The separatist group further alleged that some media platforms initially reported empty markets but later reversed their reports, describing the shift as evidence of a “well-financed propaganda network.”

Reacting to reported threats by the Anambra State Government to sanction traders, including claims of possible demolition of shops, IPOB argued that such statements contradicted official assertions that markets were open.

“If markets were indeed open, there would be no basis for threatening traders with sanctions,” the group said, describing the alleged threats as intimidation.

IPOB warned that any move to punish Onitsha traders would set a dangerous precedent, arguing that it could encourage what it termed the arbitrary destruction of Igbo businesses, both within and outside the South-East.

The group also clarified that its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had previously announced an end to enforced sit-at-home actions, stressing that the current development, according to IPOB, was about solidarity and resistance to intimidation rather than coercion.

“The message from the people is clear: unity has defeated propaganda, and intimidation has lost its power,” the statement added.

The Anambra State Government had not officially responded to the claims at the time of filing this report.