Rep Warns Soludo’s Sit-At-Home Clampdown May Worsen Insecurity

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Obi Aguocha, has warned that Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s approach to ending the Monday sit-at-home order could escalate insecurity across the South-East.

Aguocha, who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, said efforts by him and other stakeholders to stabilise the region were beginning to yield results before what he described as Soludo’s “recent intervention”.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the lawmaker argued that the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government remained a major driver of agitation and violence in the region.

The Monday sit-at-home order in the South-East began in 2021 following the arrest and extradition of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Although IPOB later announced the suspension of the directive, compliance persisted in many areas due to fear and insecurity, with successive state governments struggling to restore full economic activity without triggering fresh tensions.

Speaking, Aguocha said, “Gov 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 noted that over the past three years, many markets, plazas and shopping centres across the South-East had gradually returned to normal operations

He attributed the improvement to sustained engagement and behind-the-scenes efforts by stakeholders, however, he said the gains were now being threatened.

While acknowledging that the governor’s intention to end the sit-at-home might be well-meaning, Aguocha said 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, this could plunge the region into renewed violence, serious crimes and widespread criminality,” he warned.

He also argued that state governments lack the legal authority to compel private business owners to open or close their shops, describing such decisions as matters of fundamental rights.

He questioned whether similar sanctions would be applied to traders who shut their businesses early on Wednesdays to attend midweek religious services, insisting that such choices fall outside the control of state authorities or market unions.

“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.

“If nothing urgent is done, no one should expect votes from the region on the basis of being coerced, manipulated or compelled,” Aguocha said, adding that the people would defend their votes.

He further said his position in the House of Representatives obliged him to pursue justice and freedom, pledging to discharge that responsibility with wisdom and resolve.