Ebonyi State Governor,David Umahi has rescinded on his earlier threat that traders who fail to open for business on Monday in Obedience to stay at home order of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) will forfeit their shops.
The Governor’s decision was contained in a statement signed on Sunday by Umahi’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Francis Nwaze.
According to the statement, the statement Government has received several requests from some families and residents of the State, requesting that they would like to remain indoors on Monday, May 31, 2021, to organize private family prayers in honor of their loved ones who were murdered during the unfortunate civil war.
He said some of the people with the special request own shops in some of the markets across the state.
He said ”While as a government, we remain resolute in the protection of lives and property of Ebonyians and all residents of Ebonyi State, we are aware that it is the right of anyone to remain at home or go about his/her normal businesses in this regard.
”Following the foregoing, the Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE who is highly in touch with the people has directed that those who may wish to remain at home with their shop(s) locked should neither be penalized, nor their shop(s) seized as it is their constitutional right while the rights of those who may wish to go about their normal businesses should not be infringed upon as it is equally their constitutional right.
”He has also directed security agencies to do everything possible to maintain law and order in the entire Ebonyi State while maintaining the ban of any procession and gathering of any kind throughout the state.”
IPOB had issued its sit at home order in the South East with a threat to deal with those that might violate it which prompted Umahi to counter in a statewide broadcast on may 29 with a threat of forfeiture notice on traders who might close shops on Monday
