Governor Soludo Orders One-Week Closure of Onitsha Main Market
In a decisive move to enforce compliance with state directives, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the immediate shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market for one week. This action comes after traders in the market defied government orders to disregard the Monday sit-at-home directive that has plagued economic activities in the South-East region.
Security Agencies Seal Market Following Governor's Directive
Governor Soludo issued the closure order during an on-site visit to the market on Monday, accompanied by senior government officials and security personnel. The governor observed that despite repeated assurances of enhanced security measures, numerous shops remained closed, prompting the drastic response.
Following the directive, security operatives immediately sealed the market to ensure compliance with the shutdown order. The enforcement was carried out by a joint task force comprising police, army, and other security agencies who secured the market premises and surrounding areas.
Soludo Condemns Traders' Actions as Economic Sabotage
The governor expressed strong disappointment at the traders' continued defiance, describing their actions as economic sabotage. "Despite our assurances of enhanced security and repeated appeals to reclaim public spaces, many traders chose to keep their stalls locked," Soludo stated during his visit.
He emphasized that the government cannot stand by while individuals undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy in the state. The governor stressed that the closure represents a protective measure for law-abiding citizens while sending a clear message about compliance with government orders.
Warning of Extended Closure if Non-Compliance Persists
Governor Soludo issued a stern warning that the one-week shutdown could be extended to one month if traders continue to defy government directives. "If the market does not reopen after one week, it will be sealed for one month. You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this," the governor declared.
The standoff in Onitsha underscores the broader struggle by the Anambra State Government to end the long-running Monday sit-at-home observance that has disrupted economic activities across the South-East region for years.
Anambra Government Intensifies Measures Against Sit-at-Home
The state government has consistently directed businesses and traders to operate normally on Mondays as part of comprehensive efforts to curb economic disruptions linked to sit-at-home compliance. In a related development, the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, disclosed that from February 2026, civil servants' salaries would be paid on a pro-rata basis tied to attendance on Mondays.
This decision was taken during the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council in Awka, which reviewed the administration's performance and outlined priorities for the new term beginning on 17 March 2026.
Attention Turns to Traders' Next Move
When the market is scheduled to reopen next Monday, attention will focus on whether traders return to their stalls following the state's show of force, or whether continued closures will signal deeper resistance to government directives. Observers note that the outcome could significantly shape not only the future of Onitsha Main Market but also the rhythm of economic life in Anambra State on Mondays.
The tense atmosphere surrounding the market closure highlights the ongoing challenges faced by state authorities in restoring normal economic activities amid persistent sit-at-home observances that have become entrenched in parts of the South-East region.
