We will sack workers, seize shops if they obey IPOB sit-at-home order— Ebonyi Governor Umahi

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has ordered the immediate sack of workers and confiscation of shops owned by traders who comply with the sit-at-home ordered by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He, however, called on security chiefs in the South-East zone to deploy security officers to the streets to avert the breakdown of law and order.

You will recall initially that the directive was that the sit-at-down, tagged Ghost Monday, would be observed every Monday in the South-East.

However, the group had reviewed its sit-at-home order in the South-East, saying it will only be observed on days their leader, Nnamdi Kanu will appear in court.

While speaking with newsmen, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said the review of the exercise is due to a “direct order” from Kanu to that effect.

However, David Umahi while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders emergency meeting that took place at the ecumenical centre, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital, on Sunday, he said the exercise if not stopped by the five governours of the zone will cripple economic development and pursue investors from the region.

He said, “Any trader that does not open up their shops for businesses will be taken over by the government. South-East region is gradually being destroyed by IPOB sit-at-home. We have to fight it. We have to say no to that.

“You have to listen to me. A lot of federal agencies have placed Ebonyi state on red alert. I give you an example, it took me going to Abuja to convince the aviation industry to do some approval to our airport.

“South-East is under red alert as a result of IPOB sit-at-home and it is out of foolishness.

“Many civil servants did not go to work, we decided not to pay them, but the spirit of God prevailed and we forgave everybody. But tomorrow’s own, anybody that fails to go to work, will definitely cease to be a civil servant in Ebonyi.”