Soludo orders one-week closure of Onitsha market over sit-at-home compliance

The Anambra State Government has shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to open for business in defiance of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The closure, announced on Monday, follows continued observance of the sit-at-home despite government warnings, and comes amid growing concerns over its impact on economic activities across the Southeast. State officials have cautioned that persistent disruptions threaten revenue generation and budget implementation.

A media aide to the governor, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the sit-at-home practice as economically damaging, calling it “the height of economic sabotage.” He said the losses recorded every Monday were enormous and harmful to both the state and the business community.

Opara confirmed that the market would reopen after one week but warned that stiffer sanctions could follow if traders continue to ignore government directives.

In a separate statement, the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said the shutdown was a direct response to the market leadership’s refusal to comply with the order to resume normal trading. According to him, the decision was aimed at restoring commercial activities and public order.

Governor Soludo also reiterated his administration’s resolve not to allow any individual or group to undermine economic stability in the state.
“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage,” he said.

He warned that the closure could be extended if non-compliance persists, stressing that traders must either operate within the law or relocate their businesses elsewhere.

Security personnel, including police and military operatives, were deployed to enforce the shutdown, preventing traders from accessing the market.

While Onitsha Main Market remained closed, other markets such as Nkwo Nnewi, Eke Awka and Ekwulobia reportedly opened at low capacity. Traders cited fear of attacks by miscreants as the reason for limited operations.

The sit-at-home practice has continued to raise concerns over its effect on public finances in the Southeast, where states have proposed combined budgets exceeding N5.7 trillion for 2026 and are depending heavily on increased internally generated revenue.

Analysts have warned that repeated Monday shutdowns could weaken states’ ability to meet revenue targets. A commercial lawyer, Declan Ibekwe, said the practice was discouraging business confidence and restricting movement.
“I cannot imagine having a court case in Ebonyi State from Abia on a Monday and being unable to travel due to fear,” he said, describing the situation as “the simplest way to kill the economy.”

To further discourage absenteeism, the Anambra State Government announced that from February 2026, civil servants’ salaries would be paid on a pro-rata basis. Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said workers who fail to report for duty on Mondays would have their pay adjusted accordingly, noting that the economic losses from the sit-at-home had run into trillions of naira.

IPOB, however, rejected the government’s position, maintaining that the sit-at-home remains a voluntary and peaceful protest. The group’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, argued that no governor has the authority to compel citizens to open their businesses against their will.

As the market closure takes effect, opinions remain divided among traders, residents and officials on whether the government’s tough stance will restore normal business activity or further deepen resistance to its directives.