In spite of the Court of Appeal, Abuja judgment in favour of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Monday sit-at-home exercise persisted as residents of Anambra state, especially in Onitsha and environs, stayed indoors.
There was partial vehicular and people’s movement as roads/streets were deserted even as people expressed satisfaction with the judgment in favour of Kanu.
A resident at Fegge, Onitsha, Mr. John Okamnobi, while reacting to the judgement and sit-at-home exercise, said that the people have been used to staying indoors on Mondays and as such it would be hard to adjust.
“It has become part of us to always see Monday as a resting day but if the markets, shops, schools, banks, courts, among others can reopen, then people will be forced to return to Monday as a working day.
“We are happy with the Court of Appeal judgment in favour of Nnamdi Kanu, but we are used to staying indoors on Mondays. The court judgment even if it is in his favour, didn’t stop us because that day has been earmarked for club, town and other meetings for people,” he further said.
Contributing, a trader at Nkwo Nnewi Triangle market, who simply identified himself as Okeke, said that it would be hard to discontinue the Monday sit-at-home exercise as people believe it to be another work free day.
“Brother, leave the Monday sit-at-home for now because it has become part of us. Even government functionaries also observe it. Why can’t they stop if it is possible. Until schools, markets, courts, banks and others reopen, it will remain like this, people even now enjoy it than before,” he said.
Recall that shouts of joy rented the air when the judgment was delivered in favour of Kanu recently resulting in some people embarking on drinking spree and making merry to express their love for him as a freedom fighter.
Most residents of Onitsha and environs had on that day of judgment, nearly went berserked in a bid to express their joy and trust in the judiciary.
Meanwhile schools, courts, markets, banks, among others remained shut as at the time of filling this report.
