TINUBU SCHEDULES CAMPAIGN EVENTS IN ANAMBRA AND IMO ON MONDAYS WHILE IGNORING IPOB

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The contentious Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) sit-at-home order in the South-east region won't stop Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate, from holding campaign rallies in Imo and Anambra States on Mondays.

On Monday, November 21, Mr. Tinubu will host a campaign rally and a stakeholders' engagement in Imo State, according to the schedule provided by the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

The Labour Party's presidential candidate Peter Obi is from the state of Anambra, and on Monday, January 30, the campaign train will travel there.

In August 2021, IPOB issued the sit-at-home order in an effort to compel the Nigerian government to free Nnamdi Kanu, who is facing treason and terrorism charges in the Federal High Court of Abuja.

When Mr. Kanu appears in court, the proscribed separatist group first declared a holiday for Mondays only. Later, they expanded the holiday to include all other days as well.

Force being used by the group to enforce compliance has been documented in some circumstances. Gunmen have targeted traders and commuters who disobey the order throughout the region, although in recent months, compliance with the order has decreased as South-east governors have deployed ways to take control of the circumstance.

Along with attacking election officials and party members, the group has pledged to obstruct any election-related activity in the area.

In contrast to Mr. Obi, who has previously committed to meeting with all agitators to pursue peace, Mr. Tinubu has not yet made clear his position on the organization. The campaign staff for the APC candidate is now prepared to challenge the separatist group.

In addition to enforcing the contentious sit-at-home policy. In the Southeast, attacks by gunmen thought to be IPOB members have frequently resulted in several fatalities and kidnappings for ransom.