By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has ordered the immediate closure of the Onitsha Main Market for complete one week over traders’ failure to open for business on Mondays, in continued defiance of the State Government’s directive abolishing the sit-at-home practice in any part of the state.
The closure was confirmed in a statement issued to newsmen on Monday by the Governor’s Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, shortly after the Governor announced the shutdown during an unscheduled to the market.
According to the Aburime, Governor Soludo took the decisive action after observing that a large section of the market still remains shut on Monday, despite the government’s repeated warnings that full commercial activities must resume across the state every Monday.
The Governor’s Press Secretary explained that the sit-at-home practice, which was originally linked to security concerns and separatist agitations in the South-East, has since been officially abolished by the Anambra State Government as part of deliberate efforts to restore normal economic life, strengthen public confidence, and protect livelihoods.
He recalled that Governor Soludo had earlier repeatedly warned that any market, plaza, or business premises that failed to open on Mondays would be sealed for one week, with stiffer sanctions to follow in cases of repeated violation. According to him, the closure of Onitsha Main Market, described as one of the largest commercial centres in Nigeria, was therefore in line with the enforcement measures earlier announced by the state government.
“Governor Soludo, who has consistently warned that non-compliant markets, shops, or plazas would face sealing for one week (and potentially longer for repeated violations), invoked this penalty following the apparent non-compliance at Onitsha Main Market—one of Nigeria’s largest and most economically vital commercial hubs,” he stated.
Aburime further added that the closure is expected to remain in effect for seven days, during which trading activities will be suspended.
According to him, the state government also emphasized that the measure aims to send a strong message against any lingering adherence to the sit-at-home order, which, he said, had previously crippled commerce across parts of the region.
“The state government has also reiterated its commitment to ensuring Mondays are fully operational business days statewide, with similar warnings issued to other markets, schools, and civil servants (including salary deductions for non-compliance).
“This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Soludo administration to end the sit-at-home phenomenon, which has seen varying levels of observance despite the vastly improved security in the State,” he concluded.
Corroborating the report, Governor Soludo, in a post shared on his social media handle shortly after ordering the closure, described the persistent shutdown of markets on Mondays as a deliberate act capable of crippling the state’s economy.
According to the Governor, no individual or group has the right to halt the lives and livelihoods of the people of Anambra under any guise, stressing that the government is determined to protect the economic interests of the state and its residents.
He further warned that the same measure would be applied to any other market in Anambra State found closed on Mondays, adding that the action was not taken lightly but was necessary to deter further non-compliance.
Governor Soludo, in the post, also urged traders and market stakeholders to disregard any call for sit-at-home but to resume business as usual, while also assuring them of his administration commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property across the state.
The post read in part: “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.
“To those who continue to aid and abet this economic sabotage, I warn that we will not tolerate it any further. Our government will take all necessary measures to ensure the security and safety of lives and property in the state.
“I call on all residents of Anambra to go about their normal business activities without fear. We will continue to do everything possible to protect our economy and ensure that our state remains a hub for business and investment.
“Let us stand together against economic sabotage and build a brighter future for our state. May Anambra continue to win!”
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