Sit-at-home: Governor Soludo orders closure of Onitsha main market, threatens one-month shutdown

By Sunny A. David, Awka

In a bold move to counter what the Anambra State Government has termed economic sabotage, Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo has ordered the immediate closure of Onitsha Main Market over continued observance of the illegal Monday sit-at-home order.

The directive, issued on Monday, comes after repeated warnings to traders, market leaders, and residents to disregard the sit-at-home directive, which the government insists has no legal basis and has continued to stifle economic activities across the State.

Government sources disclosed that the market will remain closed for one week initially. However, authorities warned that the closure would be extended to one month if traders fail to fully resume operations by next Monday a development that could significantly disrupt commerce and supply chains across the South-East and beyond.

A senior government official stated, “This is no longer about fear or compliance under duress; it is about restoring law, order, and economic sanity.”

Onitsha Main Market, regarded as Nigeria’s largest commercial centre, plays a critical role in regional and national trade, serving millions of traders and consumers.

The State government maintains that continued compliance with the sit-at-home order undermines public safety, emboldens criminal elements, and portrays Anambra State as unsafe for business and investment.

Authorities also issued a strong warning to market unions, transport operators, and individuals accused of enforcing or promoting the sit-at-home directive, stressing that anyone found aiding or abetting the practice would face legal and regulatory sanctions.

Security agencies have reportedly been placed on high alert to enforce the directive and protect traders willing to open their shops.

Reactions among traders have been mixed. While some welcomed the government’s firm stance, describing it as long overdue, others expressed fear and uncertainty, citing security concerns and previous incidents of violence linked to resistance against sit-at-home orders.

The Anambra State Government has, however, assured residents that adequate security measures are being deployed to safeguard lives and property, urging traders to cooperate in the collective interest of economic stability.

As the deadline approaches, attention now turns to Onitsha Main Market, where the decision to reopen or remain shut could significantly influence Anambra State’s economic outlook in the coming weeks.