By Wisdom Nwedene, Abakaliki
Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State has said that residents of the State are free to stay at home on Monday, 31st May in honour of their loved ones killed during the civil War.
The Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Francis Nwaze made this known during a press conference in Abakaliki on Sunday.
Recall that Umahi had threatened to seal shops of individuals that did not open their shops on Monday.
According to him, “any person that did not open his shop on Monday should forfeit the shop to the State Government”.
Meanwhile, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Nwaze said the Government of Ebonyi State received several requests from some families and residents of the State, requesting that they would like to remain indoors on Monday, May 31, 2021 to organize private family prayers in honour of their loved ones who were murdered during the civil war.
According to him, “some of the people with this special request own shops in some of our markets across the state.”
“While as a government, we remain resolute in the protection of lives and property of Ebonyians and all residents of Ebonyi State, we are aware that it is the right of any one to remain at home or go about his/her normal businesses in this regard.”
“Following the forgoing, the Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE who is highly in touch with the people has directed that those who may wish to remain at home with their shop(s) locked should neither be penalized, nor their shop(s) seized as it is their constitutional right while the rights of those who may wish to go about their normal businesses should not be infringed upon as it is equally their constitutional right.”
” He has also directed security agencies to do everything possible to maintain law and order in the entire Ebonyi State while maintaining the ban of any procession and gathering of any kind throughout the state.”
