In what looked like the usual Monday Sit-at-home, economic activities, and government operations were on Thursday grounded to a halt in Anambra, as the proposed hardship protest begins today.
Banks, government offices, private businesses, and markets in major cities including Onitsha, Awka, Ekwulobia among others, were completely shut down, although no single protester was in sight.
Despite the fears expressed by people over the conduct of security personnel in the event of the protest, there were only a few police personnel, who were seen at strategic places monitoring the development.
There were however reports that the Nnewi city was alive with activities, as they said they were mourning the late Senator representing Anambra North in the National Assembly, Ifeanyi Uba, who died last week in the UK.
Recall that youth groups across the Southeast region including the Ohaneze Ndigbo, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS among others, had earlier stated their decision to dissociate themselves from the planned protest.
According to them, the other parts of the country never stood in solidarity with the region during its numerous travails.
According to a resident, Mr Cyril Nwoye, the successful grounding of activities in the state through sit-at-home, is enough protest, adding that even though there was no physical presence of protesters, the people’s disposition has sent a message to the government.
He noted that due to the fragility of society and how security agencies have responded to such protests in the past, people are now resorting to sit-at-home as a way of protest.
“The fact that economic activities are grounded is enough protest if you ask me.
“We have seen in the past where police without investigation, brand protesters as IPOB and clamp down violently on them. So, everyone is being careful so as not to be exposed,” he said.
A businesswoman who was seen in front of his closed shop, Ifeyinwa Obidi agreed with the protest, for the reason that the cost of living is so high and the nation’s leaders are displaying body language that reeks of insensitivity to the people’s plight.
“When Nigerians are suffering due to the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the Naira, people in power are busy increasing their take-in. There are rumors of the President acquiring a private jet and yacht. We also hear of the approval of N21 billion for the renovation of the Vice President’s residence as well as rumors of padded contracts.
“All these point to the fact that there is a disconnect between the people and their leaders.
“So, you see that this protest is needed to let the leaders know that people put them in office and they should be accountable to the people because they have the power to take them out if they continue in their insensitivity,” he said.
A commercial tricycle operator, Chinedu Nwafor regretted that the sit-at-home has affected his means of livelihood, calling on the government to look into the reasons for the protest so that normalcy can return.
“By now on a normal day, I would have made up to 10,000 but as you can see, I am begging for money to eat
“We don’t need this kind of distraction because we already suffer. The government must listen to the people and impact their lives better.
“Anything that will cause further hardship for the people must be avoided now,” he said.
