Breaking: IPOB Reveals Reasons Behind February 2 Sit-At-Home Despite Kanu’s Opposition

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group said the decision was meant to stop the governor from creating the impression that Igbo businesses, homes, and other properties outside the South-East could be attacked or destroyed without consequences.

The statement, titled “Lies, propaganda and the failure of deception in Onitsha,” accused the government of attempting to downplay the success of the February 2 shutdown.

Powerful stated that allowing Governor Soludo to intimidate the people would establish a dangerous example, suggesting that states outside Biafraland could continue to destroy Igbo-owned assets with impunity, as the group claimed had happened in places like Lagos and Abuja over the years. He described recent threats directed at Onitsha traders as part of this troubling pattern.

He emphasized that IPOB’s stance was not about forcing compliance, but about defending dignity, unity, and the right of the people to resist intimidation. According to him, although Kanu had ended compulsory sit-at-home orders years ago, the action was now being carried out in solidarity with Onitsha Main Market traders and others across the South-East.

The group further alleged that there was widespread compliance with the sit-at-home order, stating that markets were closed, streets were empty, and economic activities were halted across the region. IPOB claimed that even Soludo’s local government area, Aguata, experienced a complete lockdown, with government offices, banks, schools, and parastatals shut down.

Powerful accused the government of staging media appearances by assembling a few security personnel and party officials to create the false impression that markets were open. He described such efforts as deliberate deception rather than genuine reporting.

According to IPOB, once the extent of compliance became clear, a coordinated propaganda campaign was launched to spread misinformation, with some platforms allegedly reversing earlier reports of deserted markets.

The group questioned the governor’s threats to demolish thousands of shops if, as authorities claimed, businesses had actually reopened. IPOB argued that these contradictions exposed what it called the government’s dishonesty.

Concluding the statement, IPOB insisted it would not be silenced by intimidation, declaring that truth would ultimately overcome propaganda and that a united people would continue to stand firm.