The renewed debate comes amid growing pressure from South-East state governments, particularly Anambra State, where the sit-at-home has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.
Did Nigerian Separatist Leader Really Announce Permanent Cancellation of Monday Sit-at-Home?
Claims that Nigeria’s detained separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has ordered the permanent cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home in the South-East have sparked intense debate, with many Nigerians questioning the authenticity of the announcement.
A statement attributed to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) said the directive came directly from Kanu, who remains in detention pending the outcome of his appeal. Residents were urged to resume normal activities, including attending schools, markets, and workplaces, while warning that anyone enforcing sit-at-home orders would be acting against Kanu’s instructions.
However, the announcement has been met with widespread skepticism on social media. Many users argue that it was issued by an “acclaimed faction” of IPOB rather than the group’s recognised leadership or Kanu’s legal team. Some commenters allege the faction has links to government interests and was created to weaken the separatist movement, claims that have not been independently verified.
The renewed debate comes amid growing pressure from South-East state governments, particularly Anambra State, where the sit-at-home has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks. Governor Chukwuma Soludo has repeatedly criticised the continued observance of the shutdown, describing it as a form of economic sabotage.
Soludo has threatened to shut down major markets that continue to close on Mondays, warning that such facilities could be repurposed for public use, including schools or hospitals. He accused some traders of undermining the region’s economy by voluntarily complying with the sit-at-home despite official assurances of security.
State officials and business groups estimate that the South-East loses hundreds of billions of naira annually due to the weekly shutdown, citing disrupted trade, reduced productivity, and job losses. Economists say the prolonged closures have disproportionately affected small businesses and informal workers who rely on daily income.
The Monday sit-at-home was introduced in August 2021 to protest Kanu’s arrest and extradition to Nigeria. While initially framed as civil disobedience, it has significantly disrupted daily life across the region and has often been accompanied by reports of intimidation and violence, sometimes attributed to splinter groups or criminal elements operating independently.
IPOB, founded in 2014, was proscribed by the Nigerian government in 2017. Its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, has been accused by authorities of involvement in violent attacks, allegations the group denies.
As of now, uncertainty remains over whether the reported directive will translate into a definitive end to the sit-at-home, given conflicting claims, internal divisions within the separatist movement, and sustained public fear.
