Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has frowned at the lingering sit-at-home being enforced by people he calls hoodlums in the state and around the South-East region, saying his government cannot watch while future of Abia children who are scheduled to commence WAEC examination today, Monday 13th September and Tuesday, 14th September is being jeopardized by the purported forceful sit-at- home.
The Governor while decrying that the economy of the people is being impacted as well noted that people should be allowed to go about their normal businesses while those who may wish to sit at home are at liberty to do so without anyone being harassed or intimidated.
In a statement titled, “WASCE: We Must not Jeopardise our Children’s Future” by the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu made available to Metronetworknews on Monday, the governor insisted that whatever grievances any group of agitators are having can be resolved politically, calling for an end to forceful sit-at-home in the state.
“Our attention has been drawn to the lingering sit-at-home reportedly endorsed and illegally enforced by a group of hoodlums hiding under the identity of agitators in the southeast region to cause chaos in the State and we wish to state categorically that it is unacceptable to allow any individual or group to instil fear in our people to the extent of negatively impacting the education of our innocent school children who are billed to write the compulsory English examination of the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) on Monday, 13th September and Tuesday, 14th September, and on the rights of other law-abiding citizens.
“While we do not begrudge any citizen the right to sit at home or go about their normal duties, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others, we cannot afford to sit idly and watch the future of our children jeopardized and the economic well-being of our people further wrecked over a matter we believe can be resolved judicially or through political negotiations.
“We cannot continue to cut our nose to spite our face!” the statement read in part.
The Governor, therefore, urged parents, guardians and teachers to take their children to examination centres and ensure their protection while the examinations continue.
“In the light of the above, government wishes to advice parents to ensure that their children go to the examination centres for their papers while teachers and examination supervisors are to ensure the protection of the children before, during and after the examinations.
