The Nigerian Senate has strongly condemned the recurring Monday “sit-at-home” order enforced by unknown gunmen in the South-East geopolitical zone.
The upper chamber also rejected a motion to release from detention the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
This sequel to a motion moved by Senator Osita Izunaso, Representing Imo West, during a Senate session held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023
The lawmaker, in the motion co-sponsored by other lawmakers from the South-East, noted that the senators were aware that thousands of innocent lives had been lost since the action started, and properties worth over a trillion had been destroyed, resulting in investors leaving the region.
He said, “The sit-at-home civil disobedience actions in the South-East have led to the disruption/destruction of economic activities and immeasurable financial losses for businesses, workers, and the local economy. Because, when people are forced to stay at home and businesses remain closed, productivity declines and income is reduced, affecting livelihoods and economic growth.
“The “sit-at-home” protests disrupt the education of students, leading to missed classes and delays in academic progress. And such prolonged disruptions have long-term effects on students’ learning outcomes and educational development; Disturbed that disruption of essential public services, such as healthcare, transportation, and waste disposal, continues to have a severe impact during “sit-at-home” protests which adversely affect the well-being and safety of the general population living in the South-East.”
During the Debate, Senators argued that criminal elements take advantage of these protests and engage in nefarious acts within the region.
They further argued that citizens in the South East have continued to live in fear and terror
The Senate urged the federal government to collaborate with the Finnish government and extradite Simon Ekpa for Prosecution.
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio also appealed to State governors from the South East to employ strategic measures in putting an end to the protests.
