…Soludo warned that the shutdown could be prolonged if traders continue to defy the order,
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to comply with the state government’s directive to ignore the Monday sit-at-home order.
The directive was issued on Monday during an on-the-spot inspection of the market by Soludo, accompanied by top government officials and aides.
Soludo warned that the shutdown could be prolonged if traders continue to defy the order, noting that security agencies have sealed the market to ensure full enforcement.
He described the action as the latest and possibly most decisive step in the ongoing battle over economic activity in the South-East on Mondays.
Despite repeated assurances of improved security and appeals for residents to reclaim public spaces, the governor said many traders once again kept their shops closed.
According to him, the widespread absence of traders amounted to a silent but powerful act of defiance, reflecting the persistent atmosphere of fear in the region.
“The government will not fold its arms while a few individuals deliberately undermine public safety and flout lawful directives aimed at restoring normal economic activities. This is nothing short of economic sabotage,” Soludo said.
The authorities made it clear that the situation would not be tolerated, describing the closure as a safeguard for law-abiding citizens.
However, the governor issued a firm warning that failure to reopen the market after the one-week shutdown would result in its closure for an additional month.
“You must decide whether you want to trade here or take your business elsewhere. I am not joking about this,” the governor said.
On Monday, the market environment was tense as a joint security task force comprising the police, army, and other agencies was deployed to secure the area.
With the gates shut throughout the week, the confrontation in Onitsha underscores the wider battle to end the Monday sit-at-home practice.
When the market is due to reopen next Monday, focus will shift to the traders: whether they will resume business in response to the government’s show of authority or leave the stalls deserted, signaling resistance.
The outcome could shape not only the future of the market but also the tempo of economic activity across Anambra State on Mondays.
Earlier, the state government had instructed traders and business owners to operate normally on Mondays, part of broader efforts to revive economic stability and curb disruptions linked to recurring sit-at-home orders.
Meanwhile, The iNews Times reported on Saturday that the government would introduce pro-rata salary payments for public workers as another strategy to discourage the practice.
The Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, disclosed in Awka that from February 2026, civil servants’ salaries would be calculated based on their attendance on Mondays.
According to Mefor, the policy was approved during the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council, where the outgoing administration reviewed its four-year term and set priorities for the new tenure beginning March 17, 2026.
