Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has accused unnamed political actors of sponsoring the renewed Monday sit-at-home observed by some traders, describing the action as a calculated move to undermine the state’s economy.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Light House in Awka, the governor said the persistent closure of major markets every Monday was neither accidental nor driven by security concerns, but rather a “coordinated effort” by what he termed enemies of Anambra State and the South-East region.
According to Soludo, the sit-at-home has gone beyond civil disobedience and now amounts to outright economic sabotage. He stressed that his administration would not tolerate any action deliberately aimed at crippling livelihoods and disrupting commercial activities in the state.
“The weekly shutdown of our major markets is not a coincidence,” the governor said. “It is an organised attempt to destabilise the economy of Anambra and the wider South-East, and we will respond decisively.”
Soludo warned that the one-week closure earlier imposed on Onitsha Main Market would remain in force and could be extended by an additional two weeks if traders fail to resume normal business activities on Mondays after the current sanction expires.
He also brushed aside threats by some traders to challenge the market closure in court, insisting that the state government has the legal backing to act in the interest of public order and safety.
“Onitsha Main Market belongs to the Anambra State Government,” Soludo said. “The government has the authority to determine how it is used, especially when public interest, safety and economic stability are at stake.”
The governor further stated that the government could take more drastic measures if necessary, including revoking shop ownership rights, paying compensation where applicable, and taking over the market entirely for overriding public interest.
Questioning the justification for the renewed sit-at-home, Soludo noted that the market functioned normally during the Christmas and New Year festivities without any major security incidents. He recalled that business activities thrived on Mondays and even Sundays during the festive period.
“During Christmas and the New Year, traders opened freely and business boomed,” he said. “There were no significant security issues, which raises serious questions about the real motives behind the current Monday closures.”
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring normal economic life across the state and urged traders to resist being used as tools for political or economic disruption.
