Soludo visits Onitsha Main Market as Traders defy sit-at-home, resume Monday trading

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday visited the Onitsha Main Market to confirm the resumption of commercial activities, days after warning that the market could be shut for one month or repurposed if traders continued to observe the Monday sit-at-home practice.

The visit followed firm warnings by the state government that repeated closure of markets under the guise of sit-at-home amounted to economic sabotage and would no longer be tolerated.

During the inspection, the governor interacted with traders and residents, inspected stalls and monitored activities across various sections of the sprawling commercial hub.

At some points, Soludo was heard telling traders, “I will visit your shed,” drawing cheers from traders and residents who welcomed his presence.

The governor appeared visibly satisfied as he briefly engaged with market leaders and locals, noting that economic activities had returned to the market.

Soludo described the reopening as significant, stating that it marked the first time in nearly five years that full commercial activities were taking place at the Onitsha Main Market on a Monday.

Recall that the governor had earlier threatened to shut the market for one month following a one-week shutdown, warning that the state would not allow any individual or group to undermine Anambra’s economy.

“This action is not taken lightly, as I am determined to protect the economic interests of our state and its people. No individual or group has the right to halt the lives and livelihood of the people,” Soludo had said in a statement.

He had urged traders and market stakeholders to disregard sit-at-home calls and resume business as usual, assuring residents of adequate security across the state.

“I urge all traders and market stakeholders to disregard this call to economic sabotage and resume business as usual. Let us work together to build a prosperous Anambra,” the statement added.

PUNCH Online reports that traders reopened their shops on Monday following the governor’s directive and assurances of security.

A visit to the market showed that trading activities resumed as early as 8:45 a.m. across major sections, including Egerton Road, Ose Foodstuff Market, Young Park, Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Lagos Line and Marine.

The market had earlier faced threats of closure amid allegations that some traders were observing a sit-at-home order allegedly linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

However, IPOB’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, later dismissed the sit-at-home directive as fake, urging the public to ignore it.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has warned residents against coordinated misinformation by non-state actors, noting that such narratives were designed to spread fear and disrupt public order.

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