The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have declared that the sit-at-home order will not be implemented in the Southeast on the upcoming Mondays due to Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Concerns about the organization possibly reintroducing the weekly sit-at-home edict had grown after the Supreme Court denied the group's leader, Nnamdi Kanu, freedom last week.
However, research by The Guardian showed that, despite Kanu's continued detention, neither the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB group nor the Simeon Ekpa-led splinter group was considering imposing a lockdown on the area.
This is partially due to the importance they place on the festivities and the Monday civil disobedience's failure to yield any fruitful results in the last two years of the fight for Biafra's realization.
The Guardian was informed by Emma Powerful, the Media and Publicity Secretary for IPOB, that the organization "has no intention to declare sit-at-home on Christmas and New Year's days."
He went on to say that the organization had long since canceled the Monday sit-at-home in the area and that, in spite of the Supreme Court's decision not to free its leader, it had no intention of reestablishing order.
Powerful said that people should be allowed to enjoy their Christmas and New Year's holidays, adding that the goal of the fight for Biafra's realization had never been to cause suffering or misery for the populace.
Despite the fact that Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Mondays, according to Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Benjamin Sunday, "it has not been in the character of Biafra agitators to disturb religious activities and are not expected to do so on Christmas and New Year days since they are also part of the celebrations."
He clarified that the Igbo people really value their Christmas and New Year's celebrations and would not forgo them for whatever.
"Christmas is a time of joy, peace, and redemption. We commemorate the birth of our Savior at that time. All of us acknowledge God as our benefactor and creator. Thus, throughout that time, we make every effort to please and communicate with Him. He said, "We share with one another during the period because that is the beauty of the season."
In response to a question on whether the area will celebrate sit-at-home days on Christmas and New Year's Day given the holidays fall on Mondays, public affairs analyst Jerry Nwogu said that the topic was “no longer fashionable in the region.”
"Monday sit-at-homes are losing favor these days. Visit any of the region's state capitals, and you'll find that Mondays are when things get the most done. The majority of schools that weren't open on Mondays are now open. On Mondays, the markets are open, the banks are operating, and government employees are at work. Thus, I'm not sure how else the Monday-falling holidays of Christmas and New Year should be affected. We're getting ready for the festivities.
"The notion is no longer intriguing due to the state of the economy and the fact that nothing has been accomplished since it was first proposed more than two years ago. It's possible that even the leaders and enforcers of the Monday sit-at-home movement have realized that intimidating others won't get them what they want," he said.
Nwogu called for a shift in tactic, stating that the enforcement tool had proven ineffective. "Asking people not to celebrate Christmas or New Year's Day is not the right course of action. It won't function. I can therefore guarantee that individuals who have been calling for people to stay at home on Mondays will not be present to make the same call on Christmas or New Year's Day. These festivities represent our true selves," he continued.
Christmas and New Year's are as significant as any other Ndigbo holidays, according to Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, Emeritus President of Aka Ikenga, and as such, they have a special place in their lives.
He asserts, "Christmas and New Year's Day are joyous occasions for the Ndigbo people." We look forward to these two days so much that we forget what day of the week it is. Christmas, in my opinion, is a time for celebration, and nothing—not even a civil war—can stop us, Ndigbo. Therefore, I don't expect disrespect for Ndigbo Christians' beliefs," he stated.
Chuks Ibegbu, a former Ohanaeze Ndigbo national publicity secretary, also attested to the fact that Christmas and New Year's Day have the highest premium in Igboland, pointing out that these days receive the most preparations of the year.
"You can tell that Christmas and New Year's Day are serious occasions by observing the degree of beautifying in the streets and public areas, among other locations. Thus, we celebrate the season with delight and belief in it," he remarked.
Reminding everyone that Monday is Igboland's designated day for stay-at-home activities, he stated that everything would proceed according to schedule and that the days will be joyful rather than depressing.
"I don't believe anyone has been instructed to spend Christmas and New Year's Day at home. You can visit the churches to confirm that Christmas and New Year's services will take place on those dates. We are prepared to commemorate those days because they are just as significant as anything you can imagine.
"We celebrate with those who are ill, with prisoners, and with our friends and family." The fact that life exists and that everyone has hope for a brighter tomorrow is what matters. That's why he makes every effort to be present during that time, no matter where anyone is. Thus, he stated, "The only thing that will stop the celebration is a poor economy."
According to reports obtained by The Guardian, churches in the area are getting ready to celebrate ceremonies honoring Jesus Christ's birth on Monday morning.
It was also learned that some churches will have services on Monday, the first day of the New Year, while others have scheduled services for December 31 at midnight.