Sit-at-Home: Soludo moves to take charge of Onitsha main market operations

Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has announced that his administration will take over the management of Onitsha Main Market.

The decision followed the governor’s visit to the market last Monday, when he ordered a one-week closure over what he described as the continued observance of sit-at-home protests by traders.

The closure sparked tension in the commercial city, with traders staging protests against the decision, while the governor insisted that the market would remain shut for the full one-week period.

Amid the tension, Soludo met behind closed doors on Tuesday with leaders of the market at the Light House in Awka. According to a source familiar with the meeting, the governor presented the traders with two options on the future of the market.

Although details of the discussions were not made public, the source told Very Nigerian that the traders agreed to reopen their shops on Monday.

This decision was said to be in preference to an alternative option earlier raised, which involved the possible demolition and remodelling of the market.

The source said: “The governor gave them two options. The first included; they will resume full trading activities on Mondays, mark attendance as required, while he regenerate and reorganise the market, demolish all illegal structures and plazas and create proper spaces and car parks. The second includes; To continue with Sit-at-Home on Mondays and risk the demolition of the market and use two-years for its reconstruction to restore it to its original master plan.

“The governor told them that restoring parking facilities in Main Market is an emergency, and any illegal structure erected at the park would be demolished soonest.”

It was gathered that the traders choose the first option, which will involve them opening on Monday, and giving the governor the go ahead to remove illegal structures to make way for wider roads in the market and restoring its packing space.

During the meeting, the governor told the traders that a committee will be set up to recertify all occupants of shops in the market, and that this will commence work soon, insisting that the government needs to know those who are trading in its market.

The governor was also said to have rejected a plea for the market to be opened on Saturday, insisting it can only be opened on Monday, when their compliance will again be re-accessed.

“The traders agreed to the terms, and will on Monday reopen the market to recommence business,” the source said.

Meanwhile, secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared what it called Biafra-wide solidarity lockdown which is to hold on Monday in solidarity with Onitsha traders and to demand for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s immediate release.

A press release by the group’s publicity secretary, Mr Emma Powerful said the total shutdown across Biafraland is a direct, peaceful, and unified response to the shutting down of Onitsha Main Market for one week by Soludo.

The release said: “We remind Governor Soludo and his Abuja sponsors that the Monday sit-at-home originated as a peaceful protest demanding the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the very cause that has galvanized global attention to Biafra’s quest for self-determination.

“Attempts to twist this into “economic sabotage” or “criminality” will fail. The markets thrived during Christmas Mondays without incident, proving that voluntary compliance stems from genuine solidarity, not fear. Soludo’s escalation only exposes his desperation to provoke confrontation at a time when Biafra’s international profile is rising and diplomatic efforts are gaining traction.

“On Monday, February 2, 2026, we call on all Biafrans traders, transporters, banks, schools, civil servants, and every sector across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and beyond to observe this solidarity strike peacefully.

“Remain indoors, refrain from all commercial and public activities, and demonstrate to the world our disciplined resolve. This is not about disruption for its own sake; it is about standing with Onitsha traders who are being punished for demanding justice, and reaffirming that no governor can coerce free citizens into abandoning their rights or their solidarity.

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