- Governor Soludo has shut down Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders ignored orders to stop observing Monday sit-at-home, sparking mixed reactions.
- He warned that continued defiance could lead to an extension of the market closure and advised traders who are unwilling to comply to leave the state.
The Anambra State Government has sealed the Onitsha Main Market for one week over traders’ refusal to comply with official directives to operate fully during the week.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered the closure after traders continued to observe the weekly sit-at-home on Mondays, despite his instruction that businesses should operate from Monday to Saturday. He warned that continued defiance could lead to an extension of the market closure and advised traders who are unwilling to comply to leave the state.
The action is aimed at ending the long-running sit-at-home order linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The sit-at-home began in 2021 as a protest demanding the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and has continued in parts of the South-East, even after court rulings declared it illegal.
While some residents have praised the governor’s firm stance, saying the sit-at-home has caused severe economic damage, others have called for dialogue, noting that the market closure will leave many traders without income for a week in one of the region’s busiest commercial centres.
See some of the reactions below:
@JanetNkeiru
You’re avoiding the real issue why is the site at home in the first place?
@BethU20
Will he force people to come to market?
@pemi_ni_temmy
The people should re-open and if anything should happen to a single person, the Gov should be hold responsible.
@Tinaabold
Provide security for them. Unknown gun men enwero joy. You’re well secured and threatening their means of livelihood. Don’t they have unions? He makes a whole lot of revenue from them so Soludo be humble abeg. The market leaders should not let this slide but Nigerians are conquered people so they won’t do anything
@OppNaija
Soludo should handle this matter delicately as it has security implications for those that defy the sit-at-home order. Closing the market is not a solution as he is preventing the traders from earning a living.
@miz__mk
Strong move from Soludo. A one week shutdown is a clear message, economic sabotage can’t be normalized. Hopefully this pushes traders to reopen and restores normalcy in Onitsha..
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