Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has called on Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, to reopen the Onitsha Main Market, which was closed earlier this week.
The appeal was made by the President-General of the group, John Azuta-Mbata, through a statement issued by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu.
Governor Soludo ordered the market’s closure for one week on Monday, citing traders’ continued observance of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)’s sit-at-home directive.
Mr. Mbata acknowledged the government’s concerns, noting that the decision aimed to ensure public order, safety, and long-term development. However, he urged the governor to consider the economic impact on traders and families who rely on the market for their daily livelihood.
He emphasized that reopening the market promptly would help ease the financial burden on residents, particularly during challenging economic times.
“We commend Governor Soludo for his visionary leadership and efforts to transform Anambra State. In the spirit of inclusive governance, we urge dialogue with market leaders and stakeholders to reach a mutually beneficial solution,” Mbata said. “Ohanaeze remains confident in the governor’s commitment to Ndi Anambra and pledges continued support for peace, progress, and development.”
A faction of the banned IPOB often enforces the illegal sit-at-home orders. The group continues to push for the secession of the South-east and parts of the South-south from Nigeria.
The Anambra State Government claimed on Monday night that the sit-at-home costs the state around N8 billion per week, though no detailed breakdown was provided.
The closure of the market prompted protests from traders who, on Tuesday, supported the Monday sit-at-home in honor of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. On Wednesday, protesters blocked the River Niger Bridge, linking Onitsha in Anambra to Asaba in Delta State.
Governor Soludo’s Stand Against Sit-at-Home
Governor Soludo has vowed to resist the sit-at-home order in Anambra markets, describing it as an attempt to sabotage the state’s economy and that of the South-east.
“The impact of sit-at-home is enormous. It affects not only government revenue but the broader economy. Every day traders stay away from the market, countless businesses suffer,” he said, warning that prolonged closures could push traders to relocate from Onitsha.
He criticized the practice of people engaging in informal trading or social activities in neighborhoods on Mondays while refusing to open shops in formal markets under the pretext of insecurity.
“There appears to be a deliberate attempt to undermine Anambra and the South-east. We are determined to use all legal means to end this,” Soludo said.
The governor stressed that continuing the Monday sit-at-home could send the wrong signal to investors, suggesting that the state and region operate on a different business calendar. “We are establishing a new economic rhythm: open for business from Tuesday to Saturday, while aligning with the broader national and global business calendar,” he said.
He added that Onitsha Main Market already has over 150 security personnel deployed, providing adequate safety for traders. Soludo also noted that some traders avoid opening on Mondays due to “plain laziness,” which, he said, has been perpetuated by years of sit-at-home observance.
