Both economic and commercial activities gradually picked up in the commercial cities of Onitsha and Nnewi as well as Awka, the capital of Anambra State as residents shunned the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest across the country.
News correspondent reports that residents stayed inside during the early hours of Thursday, which resulted in a partial decline in economic and commercial activity. Major thoroughfares and marketplaces were empty until later in the day.
Our correspondent who went around major cities in the state observed that there was the presence of of heavy security at major markets, government facilities, including the Central Bank of Nigeria office in Awka, courts, and the government secretariat, banks, petrol filling stations and some offices remained shut as workers did not report to work due to fear of attack by hoodlums.
Further checks showed that major roads which were initially deserted and motor parks which were also initially under lock and key bubbled with activities later in the day.
There was no protest or gathering recorded at any public space and the situation across the state was generally peaceful as most people preferred to sit-at-home as a way of protesting.
The ever-bubbling Main Market in Onitsha and the Eke Awka market in Awka, which were initially very scanty in the morning, rippled with activities as buyers and customers continued to troop into the markets for one transaction or the other in defiance of the protest.
A trader and one of the market exco members at the Onitsha Main Market, who spoke to our correspondent identified as Emeka, said, “We opened for business today as you can see. Although, initially, there was apprehension and mixed feelings which made the atmosphere in the market scanty.
“This was because some traders who came in the morning just hung around and watched events as they unfolded before opening their shops. There is no protest in Anambra and we are not interested in the protest as they have accused us and some of our leaders of always instigating protests.
“You can see everywhere is peaceful and most people have remained indoors. The people who have come out are going about their normal businesses and activities without any hindrance while some are just watching as events unfold before deciding on their next line of action.”
Also in the industrial town of Nnewi, most stores and artisans’ shops were open for business as traders and youths shunned the #EndBadGovernance# nationwide protest.
Also reacting to the development in a statement, a group, the United Igbo Elders Council Worldwide, expressed satisfaction, saying that the South Eeast residents’ attitude to the protest was based essentially on the differential attitude to human rights that the organisers have shown towards the Ndigbo in particular, and other Nigerians as well.
The statement signed by its Director, Media and Publicity, Prof. Obasi lgwe, stated, “Right now, even before the August date, the Igbo are already being threatened, attacked and molested in some parts of the country with no word of condemnation by those said to be fighting against bad government.
“Nevertheless, the Igbo population, being the major victims, understands the Nigerian situation very well, and knows what can be done to address it, starting with ending the unparalleled oppression of Easterners.”