In a direct challenge to the authority of the Anambra State government, the self-proclaimed Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) has condemned Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market, declaring the weekly sit-at-home protest a “fundamental right” of free expression that he cannot lawfully suppress.
A “Government” vs. A Governor: The Battle Over Legitimacy
The statement, issued by BRGIE Prime Minister Ogechukwu Nkere, escalates the local market conflict into a geopolitical showdown. Nkere, who recently replaced the imprisoned Simon Ekpa, did not mince words, labelling Soludo an “illegitimate governor” whose threats against traders are unjust.
“Onitsha traders have the right to freedom of expression, including the voluntary decision to observe sit-at-home actions in solidarity with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and to express their displeasure towards Nigeria’s oppression,” Nkere stated. He insisted the protests were entirely voluntary and “neither the BRGIE nor its affiliates coerced or compelled anyone.”
Drawing Parallels to Gandhi and “Civil Disobedience”
In a striking rhetorical move, the BRGIE leader framed the sit-at-home as a form of legitimate political resistance, drawing a direct parallel to Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle for Indian independence. He cited historical “social and economic boycotts and non-compliance” as a proven path to self-determination.
This framing directly counters Governor Soludo’s narrative that the Monday lockdowns are mere “economic sabotage” enforced by criminal intimidation. Instead, the BRGIE presents them as a conscious, collective act of civil disobedience against what it terms “Nigeria’s oppression.”
A Region on the Brink of a Major Confrontation
The BRGIE’s intervention adds a new layer to an already volatile standoff. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has already declared a region-wide “solidarity lockdown” for Monday, February 2, daring the people to choose between the governor’s orders and the separatist group’s call.
With Onitsha Main Market entering its second week of a government-imposed closure and a shadow “government” now officially sanctioning civil disobedience, the stage is set for a critical test of power. This Monday will reveal whether the authority in Anambra resides with the elected governor in Awka or with the political forces (both inside and outside the country) mobilising the streets.
