The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday cancelled its one-week sit-at-home directive in the South-East.
The group had last month ordered a sit-at-home in the region to protest the continued detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government.
IPOB in a statement issued by its Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, demanded an unconditional release of Kanu from the Department of State Service (DSS) custody by November 4.
The secessionist group threatened to lock down the South-East from November 5 if the federal government fails to meet its demand at the expiration of the ultimatum.
The lockdown, according to the statement, will be in place from November 5 to November 10.
The Anambra governorship election holds on Saturday.
However, in a fresh statement issued by the same Emma Powerful and titled “We have cancelled our one-week sit-at-home,” IPOB said it took the decision following genuine intervention by elders, traditional and religious leaders in the South-East.
The group added that it also considered the appeals of women who earn their living based on their daily economic activities in the region.
The statement read: “Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions /Rulers and religious leaders, and after due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms, the leadership of IPOB ably lead by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.
“We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It is never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.
“IPOB leadership is only interested in our referendum and peaceful agitation for self-determination, and cannot be under any guise be seen to be interfering with any electoral process.
