By Chinaza Osigwe
A rural elder, Mr. Aloysius Okpalobi, has commended Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, for what he described as his doggedness in halting the Monday sit-at-home, saying the move is critical to restoring the state’s economic viability.Mr. Okpalobi made the remark during an interaction with Information Officers at Akpo, in Aguata Local Government Area.He described Governor Soludo as “a man of the moment” who understands the demands of the time and acts decisively when necessary.According to him, while civil disobedience is permissible in a democratic setting as a means for citizens to express dissatisfaction, the Monday sit-at-home has long outlived its relevance, noting that its continuation persists despite its cancellation by Onyendu Nnamdi Kanu over two years ago.“The continued observance of Monday sit-at-home after it was called off is not only disobedience to Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, but also an act of self-inflicted economic harm,” he said.Mr. Okpalobi stressed that the release of Nnamdi Kanu remains the collective desire of Ndi Igbo, adding that Governor Soludo shares this aspiration. He, however, urged residents to adopt wisdom and support the governor’s efforts to end the sit-at-home order in order to achieve broader goals.He warned market authorities across the state against defying government directives, citing the one-week closure of the Onitsha Main Market as a lesson, and urged other markets and institutions to comply to avoid similar sanctions.The elder further appealed to the governor to strengthen security not only through increased presence but also through effective monitoring, especially around markets and schools. He emphasized that security is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of families and communities.“We must guide our youths from our homes. If every family takes responsibility, we will build a better Anambra State,” he said.Mr. Okpalobi also cautioned political actors to place the interest of Anambra State above personal ambitions, warning that making the state ungovernable under the current administration would have lasting consequences.“We should learn from the experiences of others and not wait until it happens to us,” he added.
