The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Obi Aguocha, has cautioned the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, over moves to halt the Monday sit-at-home order in the state, warning that the approach 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 gradually yielding results before what he described as the recent intervention by Gov Soludo.
He also warned that the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government would continue to fuel agitation and violence in the South-East.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the lawmaker said Gov Soludo’s actions had unsettled a fragile peace that was slowly returning to the region.
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,” Aguocha said.
“Over the last three years, many markets, plazas and shopping centres across the South-East have gradually returned to normalcy, operating freely and unencumbered. I have worked tirelessly in this direction, and peace was steadily returning to our rural and commercial trading centres.”
He argued that while the governor’s intention to end the sit-at-home might be well-meaning, 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, could plunge the region into renewed violence, serious crimes and widespread criminality,” he said.
Aguocha maintained that a state government has no legal authority to compel private business owners to open or close their shops.
“Gov Soludo cannot force, punish or compel private business owners to close or open their shops, or to trade or refrain from trading,” he said
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