By Okechukwu Onuegbu
On May 30th, 2025, most streets, markets, shops, and both public and private institutions in Anambra State were shut down as residents complied with the annual sit-at-home order. This directive, proclaimed long ago by some pro-Biafra activists, was aimed at commemorating Biafra Day in honour of the defunct Eastern Nigeria people killed during the 30-months Biafran/Nigerian civil war.
While none of the governments of the five Southeastern States have formally endorsed this order issued by non-state actors, it is disheartening that civil servants appeared to observe it as well. This stands in sharp contrast to Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s stance on the weekly Monday sit-at-home order issued since August 2021 by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to press for the release of their incarcerated leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Anambra State’s governor has consistently lamented that the forceful movement restrictions imposed by IPOB are crippling the state’s socioeconomic activities. It has directly and indirectly forced many traders, captains of industry, and investors to relocate to neighbouring States in the South-South geopolitical zone. Governor Soludo even promised to beef up security around banks, markets, and other public institutions to encourage people to go about their duties without restrictions. This initiative could be why some commercial banks in Awka have started attending to their customers on Mondays partially.
However, on Friday, May 30th, 2025, during the Biafra Day sit-at-home, despite the visible presence of police, military, and paramilitary officers at Aroma Junction, Eke Awka, among other locations, not a single civil servant could be spotted at either the State Secretariat or the Federal Government Secretariat. These government buildings are strategically situated beside the new government house and opposite the B-Division of the Nigerian Police in Awka. In fact, both entrance gates to the Federal Government Secretariat were locked, while the two unarmed, elderly security guards at the entrance of the Jerome Udoji (Anambra State Secretariat) boldly informed us that “Nobody is inside. Can’t you see that everywhere is calm with nobody in sight?” The commercial bank within the facility was equally not working .
Also, at the former and new government houses, including the State House of Assembly , Judiciary, ASUBEB, INEC, ANSIEC and others, gates were equally shut, with no civil servants present during our press visit. Even the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, who claimed to be in office, confirmed on the phone that most workers did not report for duty that day. As Comrade Osita Obi of Recover Nigeria Project (RNP) aptly queried, “Who is to be blamed for the workers’ absenteeism on a normal workday? Is this not an indictment on Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who is visibly unhappy that sit-at-home is crippling the State and Southeast economy? What is the government’s commitment to ensuring that Anambra people come out on Mondays and any other sit-at-home days?”
FactcheckNg is deeply concerned about this alarming trend. Could this be mere rhetoric or inaction on the part of the government? Otherwise, why would the governor be working every day while the engine room of governance ( the civil servants) report to work only when they choose? Why would the governor be delivering a lecture at a Federal university in another State while his own State’s Federal and State institutions were shut down because of a mere proclamation by a “non-existent group” or the insecurity his government claims to be fighting with “Operation Udo Ga-Achi”? If some markets and private institutions could open for normal business, why were civil servants absent when there was no formally announced holiday? If it is perhaps due to fear of being killed or harmed by non-state actors, especially the enforcers of the order, what has the government failed to do, or not done well, that could lead to such vehement disregard for its authority (if any)?
Action is said to speak louder than words. The State government should kindly redouble its efforts toward resolving this impasse. If for no other reason, civil servants in Awka, the seat of power, should have no reason to abscond from duty. FactcheckNg believes that the government can create programs and actions capable of addressing this amicably. This could include scheduling important functions, events, and celebrations in Awka primarily on Mondays or whenever there is a restriction order from non-state actors. Soludo’s administration should also introduce a reward system aimed at encouraging workers to report for duty every working day. Furthermore, the permanent secretaries, heads of departments, directors, and other relevant authorities should be empowered and monitored to ensure they enforce compliance with government orders more effectively among the workers. We equally believe that liaising with the State organized labour (NLC/TUC) and the State Head of Service could contribute immensely towards resolving this. Lastly, we need security. The security of lives and properties of the populace would go a long way in rebuilding public confidence in the government, fostering rapid development, peace, and progress in Anambra State and the Southeast generally.
