Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Residents of Umuahia have given reasons they shunned the nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance.
Most of the residents who spoke with Ikengaonline said they had lost interest in anything Nigeria, and no longer want to bother about the issues concerning the country.
They said that although they were affected by the excruciating economic hardship in the country, Ndigbo had already learned to survive in the face of hardship.
Mr Ikechukwu Emmanuel repairs sewing machine at Uwalaka by Niger Street Umuahia. He said: “We are tired of Nigeria and her troubles. We want our independent country. So, there is no point joining in their protest.”
Another resident, Prince Enyinnaya Ukaegbu from Amuzukwu Umuahia, said that when an Igbo man presented himself to lead Nigeria out of its mess in 2023, the North and the South-West connived to stop him.
He argued that they should therefore live with the outcome of their connivance against the Igbo and should not involve us in their self inflicted trouble “after all, they said it was their turn to rule.”
“Igbo man won the presidential election but they said he was not fit to rule. Now somebody who said it was his turn to rule is ruling, they should not complain.
“Nigeria should carry its cross and leave us alone. We are not interested in their country again .”
Speaking also with Ikengaonline, Mr Uche Emeruwa said that what matters to Ndigbo is the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and not the self inflicted hardship in Nigeria.
According to him, Ndigbo would rather join the protest if it would lead to Kanu’s release from detention.
“Hunger protest isn’t our concern any more. What matters to us is Nnamdi Kanu’s release. They should stop disturbing our peace with their protest since they said Igbo man is not fit to rule Nigeria. Let them leave Kanu our hero.”
Continuing he said: “If Tinubu likes, let him rule for 60 years, after all it’s his turn to rule. Hausa and Yoruba should allow him to rule and have peace.”
He further said that if Ndigbo join in the protest, it would be turned against them.
“Imagine when we have not joined the protest and they are calling for Ndigbo to quit South-West. Imagine what will happen when we join in the protest.
“We know their plan: They are looking for excuse to attack us and loot our businesses.”
Meanwhile, the day two of the nationwide protest recorded total non-compliance in Abia State.
Just like the first day, residents went about their normal businesses.
The roads were busy and human and vehicular movements flowing unhindered.
Motor parks and markers also opened for business.
Workers also went to work unlike the first day of the protest when some stayed back at home probably for fear of the unknown.
Commercial banks in the state remained under lock and key as they closed their gates against customers.
Some residents were sighted sitting over drinks at joints discussing issues of the moment and making themselves happy.
“We are doing our own protest here,” a young man told Ikengaonline, raising a bottle of beer he was sipping.
