THIS DAWN — Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has strongly criticized traders in Onitsha over what he described as selective and self-serving observance of sit-at-home orders.
Speaking at the Light House in Awka on January 28, 2026, the governor expressed surprise that the market reverted to Monday closures shortly after enjoying brisk business during the recent festive period.
He accused the traders of deliberately undermining the state’s economy by enforcing Monday market closures despite improved security conditions.
Governor Soludo confirmed that the Onitsha Main Market will remain closed for one full week as a disciplinary measure.
He stressed that the shutdown must be fully enforced.
Governor Questions Traders’ Inconsistency
The governor highlighted what he termed glaring hypocrisy in the traders’ conduct.
He questioned why the market remained open on Mondays during the Yuletide season only to resume closures afterward.
According to him, the action amounts to an attempt to unofficially redefine Anambra’s economic calendar for personal gain.
Governor Soludo dismissed security concerns as an unjustifiable reason for the continued closures.
He revealed that beyond the general security improvements recorded across the state, more than 150 security personnel are currently deployed within the Onitsha Main Market alone.
He noted that roads, offices, and other businesses now operate normally on Mondays.
Meanwhile, major markets remain shut, a situation he described as economically harmful and unnecessary.
Economic Impact and Loss of Daily Income
The governor warned that the Monday shutdowns are costing the state significant economic opportunities.
He emphasized that Anambra is one of Nigeria’s largest commercial hubs and that continued closures disproportionately harm low-income earners who depend on daily trade for survival.
“This is a battle for the economic soul of Anambra State,” Soludo said.
He stressed that no serious economy could afford to sacrifice productive days.
Governor Soludo stated that his administration has reached the limit of its patience.
He reminded traders that the government retains the power under the Land Use Act to revoke land allocations in the public interest.
He also disclosed that a new master plan for the Onitsha Main Market has been in place since 2023.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria governor added that the state is determined to reassure investors of a stable five- or six-day business week.
Efforts to End Sit-at-Home and Restore Stability
The governor outlined steps taken by his administration to dismantle the sit-at-home culture, including:
- Amnesty initiatives,
- Creation of a Bureau for Missing Persons, and,
- Engagement with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
He, however, noted that IPOB has publicly distanced itself from the lockdowns.
Governor Soludo concluded by describing the market shutdown as painful but necessary “collateral damage” aimed at safeguarding Anambra’s long-term prosperity.
He urged political actors and residents to stop encouraging actions that weaken the state’s economy.
