The Anambra State Government has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to resume business on Monday, defying Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s directive to ignore the sit-at-home order associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The shutdown, announced by the state government, reflects growing frustration over the economic toll of recurring Monday sit-at-home observances across the Southeast. Authorities warn that the disruptions are steadily eroding commercial activity, state revenue, and the ability to fund public projects.
A media aide to the governor, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the continued compliance with sit-at-home as a major blow to the state’s economy. He said the losses recorded every Monday amount to “economic sabotage,” noting that both government revenue and the livelihoods of traders suffer significantly with each shutdown.
According to Opara, the market will reopen after one week, but he cautioned that harsher sanctions could follow if traders continue to disregard government directives in the coming weeks.
In a separate statement, the governor’s Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, said the decision to shut the market was taken after market leaders failed to enforce the directive to open for business. He explained that the move was aimed at restoring confidence and normalcy in commercial activities.
Governor Soludo himself took a firm stance, insisting that the state would not allow any group or individuals to undermine public order and economic stability. “The government cannot stand by while a few people deliberately sabotage the economy and disregard lawful directives,” the governor said, warning that the market could face a longer closure if non-compliance persists.
Security operatives, including police and military personnel, were deployed to enforce the closure, preventing traders from accessing the market.
While the Onitsha Main Market remained shut, other major markets across the state—such as Nkwo Nnewi, Eke Awka, and Ekwulobia—opened at limited capacity. Many traders cited fear of attacks by miscreants as the reason for reduced activity.
The sit-at-home practice has sparked wider concern among policymakers and analysts, especially as Southeastern states project combined budgets exceeding ₦5.7 trillion for 2026 and depend heavily on improved internally generated revenue. Experts warn that continued shutdowns could weaken business confidence and undermine fiscal planning.
A commercial lawyer, Declan Ibekwe, described the situation as crippling to economic mobility, arguing that the inability to move freely on Mondays is “the simplest way to kill the economy.”
In response, the Anambra State Government has announced that from February 2026, civil servants’ salaries will be paid on a pro-rata basis, with workers who fail to report on Mondays facing pay deductions.
IPOB, however, rejected the government’s measures, insisting the sit-at-home remains voluntary. Its spokesman, Emma Powerful, argued that no authority can compel citizens to conduct business against their will, warning that enforcement measures could infringe on fundamental rights.
As the shutdown takes effect, Anambra remains divided—caught between government efforts to revive economic activity and public fears that continue to keep businesses closed on Mondays.
