May I ask? Whose right is it to declare sit-at-home within any region?
Okay, let's forget that I asked. Just know that all businesses in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria are said to be on lockdown today, being 9th August. From what I know, this restriction of movement will continue every Monday until the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
To start on a good note, you can read about Biafra and what they stand for on Wikipedia.
Done reading? Okay.
Everyone goes on to pick sides between Nigeria or Biafra, but this post isn't for any side picking or support whatsoever. I'm more concerned about the effect of this said restriction on the life of citizens living in the affected area, the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.
Out of all the 36 states in Nigeria, five states fall under the South East. They include Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo State.
I live in Anambra State and I know that most of the people in this area survive on their hustle (trade). These businesses are meant to run daily. Some are high valued businesses while others are petty businesses.
Almost everyone hustles under the sun and in the rain just to put food on their table.
Knowing Anambra for what it is, most of these people didn't open their shops today. A lot of people stayed behind closed doors while they get up-to-date gist of the latest trend through local digital media houses. I was not an exception to this. I had to do a little extra when I went shopping yesterday so that I wouldn't have to make any movement today. Even while I was in the market, the traders couldn't hide their fear due to what is expected to happen today.
As expected, staying back at home turned out to be a good choice.
When we finished praying this morning, my Mum was hell-bent on making a trip from Anambra State to Enugu State. You do remember that both Enugu and Anambra are part of the South Eastern state. Eh? How on Earth is she supposed to make that trip without giving all of us the highest scare of our life? Hmmm.
I don't blame Mumcy. It is a very important trip (you will get the details later), but risking her neck because of this was not worth it. We successfully talked her out of the idea. Of course, tomorrow is another day for another trip. No big deal.
As I'm writing this, I've already seen updates with very disturbing pictures about vehicles that were set on fire in Anambra, Abia and still counting. Some passengers couldn't escape while those that escaped from their vehicles were confirmed to have sustained injuries.
Just so you know, I also did a little leg walk to a major road which is 4 minutes away from my apartment.
Yeah, I did. Don't ask why. This is how busy the road turned out to be.
Ooppss... Not so busy after all.
The next picture was taken yesterday in the same spot on my way to Obosi.
You can only imagine how dull this day was in the commercial city of Onitsha and the South Eastern part of Nigeria as a whole.
Here is a little twist. Let's say, power tussle or just a political statement.
The government of these states came out to openly ask residents to ignore the sit-at-home order made by these groups of extremists.
Anambra State Government made it clear that anyone that misses work today because of this wild action of IPOB would have to kiss their August salary goodbye.
How is that for a decisive call to action from the state government?
I see it as a political stance from the state government. It's their way of making sure that they won't be tagged as conspirators. There is no way for them to get the right figure of those that were absent or present. Even if they get that figure, with an election scheduled to hold in 3 months, they would never do anything that will put them in the bad book of public servants (Source = my intuition)
Well well well, can you smell the gasoline? Anambra is hell. Joking apart!
I'm already in this danger zone. It's a bloody blood bath and I don't see it stopping. The flames are getting higher. Just so you know, I like to play with fire in the name of adventure. But I don't want to raise kids in fire. Can't wait for all my plans to come to pass.
Thanks For Not Missing Any Full-stop Or Co.
Hmm I'm just short of words about all this, let's just hope that things will turn out good soon.
And also for your plans to come to pass. That's busy and quiet road made me laugh a bit though, see difference naw 😂
Wahala for this lock down o
Lol... The busy road is quiet while the quiet road is busy. That was an insane thing to see on a Monday. I'm hoping for this day to be better.
As for my plans, I'm hoping for the best
An interesting insight into life in South East Nigeria. I had a little look at the link you posted to Biafra. What I'm curious to understand is what you think would be the outcome if a referendum were held? It is all very well for an opposition party to stand up against the current governing party but what policies do they have to improve the situation for the electorate of a potential future self governing Biafran state? Does the current Nigerian government favour those states outside of South East Nigeria and actively deprive it's citizens in the SE states of their rights and opportunities? Having said that, I do hope that for yours and your family's sake that this can come to an end sometime soon and that you achieve your goal of presumably extricating yourself from the area.
I'm impressed to see that you are bringing up a referendum. I've also raised that as a solution but something like that cannot be approved in Nigeria. The central government will not let it happen. Funny enough, this Biafrian agitation has been in existence since 1967 and many lives have been lost. Imagine if there was a referendum since then, alot would have been different.
Hmmm... Favouritism is the order of the day in Nigeria and I understand why the southern Eastern group are agitation and fighting to separate themselves. Same time goes for some other region. They want to break out of Nigeria.
The issue is, even after separation, the same old fattened up politicians will walk back into these separate units to take over power. Alot is wrong with Nigeria and it starts from the root
Thanks for the insights. I only raised the referendum as that is what the Biafran party wants lol. So was just curious to see what you thought the actual will of the people of the SE states was.