CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
It is no more a surprise that economic activities both in public and private sectors are grounded particularly on Mondays in the South-eastern region of Nigeria. It is likewise a reality that the fears of the unknown hovers around the air in the region as people no more trust their next-door neighbors. Public offices, private companies, institutions, and markets are closed down every Monday completely in compliance with the order and directives of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This 'dangerous proclamation' is setting the whole Southeastern region of Nigeria ablaze economically.
The proscription of IPOB and invasion of their leader's house in Umuahia by the Nigerian Army sparked off great social upheavals. Several IPOB members were killed at the same time (Adonu, 2018). The Military invasion brought about Kanu's exit to Britain in his effort for safety. Nevertheless, his arrest and extradition from Kenya on June 29, 2021 has increased insecurity in South Eastern part of the country. As a ploy to attract government's attention to their demands, IPOB declared weekly Monday sit-at-home order as a system to protest against the apprehension of her leader. This regular sit-at-home order has paralyzed the economy of the zone. Lives and property worth billions of naira have been lost following the enforcement of the sit-at-home order. Institutions, hospitals, churches and financial institutions were forced to remain closed every Monday. Hoodlums in the region used the sit-at-home order while executing their dubious activities. The sit-at-home order amounted to self-destruction of South-East area economically (Edeson, 2021). Transport industry was not excluded as buses and goods on transit were set ablaze. Organisations, public and personal companies encountered massive losses. Goods were looted while kidnapping, political and ritual killings became the order of the day. South-East overnight drifted into a state lawlessness.
The sit at home is becoming so regular that it has caused a reaction and a diminishing return. Understanding well that the state of Nigeria government, sit at home cannot solve the issue neither will it give freedom to Biafra nor the release of Nnamdi Kanu, rather it will resort to be a thorn in the people's flesh as it impacts their everyday living.
No doubt, Mondays are taken seriously by Igbo business people due to the fact that, as the first business day of the week, it is believed that what happens on that particular day would certainly set the pattern of business activity for the rest of the week. Many Igbo business people anticipate doing great business on Mondays, since well-known commercial centers such as Onitsha, Aba, Enugu, Owerri, Abakiliki, and Nnewi, to name a few, see an inflow of investors from various other areas of the nation. Consequently, the whole Igbo country was stunned when IPOB declared the first Monday sit-in on August 9th, 2021. Before that day, the IPOB propaganda machine was at its many efficient, endangering that everyone who ventured to leave his home that day would certainly be held responsible. People, including security personnel, have been threatened with death in this regard. The IPOB order maintained that the once a week sit-ins would certainly proceed until the federal government frees Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. No one, not even government officials, dared to leave their homes during the sit-in, which turned the whole southeast into a ghost community. The commercial activity was totally halted, and losses suffered because of this of the sit-at-home were approximated to reach 8 billion naira at the end of the day (Nnewi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), 2022). The Southeast geopolitical region being a commercial center of Nigeria after Lagos adds considerably to the economy of Nigeria (Orugun and Nafiu, 2014). So, with an 8 billion Naira loss weekly, the already delicate revenue profile of the region will deteriorate such that if nothing is done to minimize this pattern, the economy of the zone and by effects, the nation will slip into depression. In light of this, the researchers believe that a study on the impact of the IPOB's compulsory sit-at-home order on economic activities in Southeast Nigeria is ideal. Particularly, this study aims to establish the economic implications of the sit at home order by IPOB on socio-economic activities in the South East by using Aba, Abia State, as a case study.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Aba is recognized for bringing and opening containers of imported products on Mondays. So with the enforcement of the sit-at-home people were required to head to other areas, like Calabar, Port Harcourt and so on, to open containers leaving the southeast. Among the drawbacks the sit-at-home had was that it never discussed with its residents to concur with Monday as the set day, however instead it was enforced on them, which many had problems with it, however had no option than to comply with it. The sit-at-home certainly had a toll on the economy of the southeast and paralyzed financial activities therefore incurring a lot of losses.
Some people rely on day-to-day work to feed their households however were left helpless with the sit-at-home order, which had not been fair on their part. This act may press some into crime or other vices in the society. The sit-at-home intention was not a good technique whatsoever since it caused more harm than good. According to IPOB, a day hunger would certainly not kill anyone. This declaration reeks of incompetence due to the fact that a day hunger can force one to carry out dastardly acts.
IPOB ought to have prevented anything that would certainly cause economic discomforts on Ndigbo. A few groups compared the regular and economically strangulating sit-at-home as akin to taking poison and hoping that the enemy would certainly die. The sit at home had no trigger impact to the release of the Biafran leader, however instead it impoverished and made life hard for its people. Asking people not to go about their business is a wrong approach to get Nnamdi Kanu out of detention. If institutions, markets, banks, and so on are shut down, it does not by any means affect the presidency. From whichever angle the issue is examined, the southeast is still on the losing side particularly, Aba, Abia State.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the economic implications of the sit at home order by IPOB on socio-economic activities in the South East by using Aba, Abia State, as a case study. However, the specific objectives include:
i) To establish the relationship between the sit at home order by IPOB and economic growth of Abia State.
ii) To ascertain the influence of the sit at home order by IPOB on foreign direct investment of Abia State
iii) To understand the relationship between the sit at home order by IPOB and social infrastructure of Abia State.
1.4 Research Questions
The research questions for this study were derived from the above objectives which include:
i) What is the relationship between the sit at home order by IPOB and economic growth of Abia State?
ii) Does the sit at home order by IPOB have any influence on foreign direct investment of Abia State?
iii) What is the relationship between the sit at home order by IPOB and social infrastructure of Abia State?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The research hypotheses for this study were coined from the stated objectives for this study and they include:
i) There is a significant relationship between the sit at home order by IPOB and economic growth of Abia State.
ii) There is no significant influence of the sit at home order by IPOB on foreign direct investment of Abia State.
iii) There is no significant relationship between the sit at home order by IPOB and social infrastructure of Abia State.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study is of great importance to the Nigerian government as it will help her to take more proactive measure to instill order in the Southeast region to avoid unlawful restrictions inimical to economic activities because the continuous proclamation of this order has already been having negative impact on the economy of the region and by extension on Nigeria as a country.
Also, it will help the government to come to terms of agreement with the IPOB hierarchy to restore sound business environment for expected level of FDI inflow in the Southeast region.
In addition, it will also help the government to devise a means to subject security operatives to more advanced trainings in order to curtail ill acts of unscrupulous elements bent on damaging social infrastructures in the region.
Lastly, the study will serve as a foundation of knowledge to researchers who are interested in the topic like this.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This study is on the economic implications of the sit at home order by IPOB on socio-economic activities in the South East using Aba, Abia State, as a case study. Aba is considered to be the economic hub of the South East region. Therefore, traders in Aba market will be considered to be the respondents for this study.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
In the course of this research work, problems of various natures were encountered, which in no small measure constituted some “Road block” to the progress of the study. Among the militating factors are the following:
Non-return of completed questionnaire by some respondents: some of the respondents did not return their response of the questionnaire irrespective of the researcher’s series of reminder letters. Their reasons ranged from forgetfulness to lack of chance to attend to the questionnaire.
Reluctance in releasing information on even oral interviews: The researcher was looked upon as a spy in disguise who has come from their competitors to x-ray what they called their “top secrets” and “blue prints” As a result; comprehensive data were not easily collected notwithstanding the researcher’s letter of introduction.
Time: This was not a good friend of the researcher. The time allocated to this study was very insignificant compared to the volume of the work involved. This time constraint was further companied by the existence of other class room work.
Funds: Money was another constraint to the research work. Most often, the researcher ran out of funds and had to delay the work for money to come in.
1.9 Definition of Terms
The following terms were used in this study:
Economic growth: the process whereby the country’s real national and per capita income increases over a long period of time.
Foreign direct investment: is the process whereby residents of. one country (the source country) acquires ownership of assets for the. purpose of controlling the production, distribution and other activities. of a firm in another country (the host country).
Infrastructure: the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise
Sit at home order: peaceful and legitimate means of dissent or civil protest; but once it is enforced by force, violence or threats, and complied without fear, it has now become another form of terror and tyranny.”
