The Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and surrounding markets for a period of seven days. This decision follows the reported refusal of traders and business owners to fully resume commercial activities on Monday, despite the government’s directive that normal business operations should continue across the state.
According to the governor, the shutdown is a disciplinary and deterrent measure aimed at enforcing compliance with the state’s economic and security policies. He further warned that going forward, any market, business cluster, or commercial area that fails to open for business on Mondays will be locked up for one week, without exception.
Governor Soludo emphasized that Anambra State cannot continue to suffer economic paralysis under any guise. Mondays, which should ordinarily be productive workdays, have over time become periods of fear-induced inactivity, costing traders, transporters, artisans, and the state economy billions of naira in losses.
Economic Impact on the People
Onitsha Main Market is one of the largest commercial hubs in West Africa. A seven-day shutdown does not only affect traders, but also daily earners, loaders, drivers, food vendors, apprentices, and families who depend on daily trade to survive. While the government argues that the action is necessary to restore order and confidence, many residents fear that repeated closures will worsen hardship in an already strained economy.
Government’s Position
The state government maintains that the continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home is not backed by any lawful authority and poses a serious threat to Anambra’s economic survival and public safety. By enforcing these sanctions, the government says it is reasserting the authority of the state and protecting citizens who wish to go about their lawful businesses without intimidation.
Public Sentiment and Security Concerns
Many residents argue that traders do not stay at home out of stubbornness, but out of fear—fear of attacks, vandalism, and violent enforcement by non-state actors. This has raised serious questions about security, trust, and the effectiveness of enforcement strategies that punish victims of fear rather than directly addressing its root causes.
A Call for an End to Coercion and Fear
There is a growing call among citizens for an end to all forms of coercion that cripple daily life and economic activity in the South-East. Whether through threats, intimidation, or force, the imposition of sit-at-home practices has deeply affected ordinary people who simply want to earn a living in peace.
At the same time, many are urging the government to pair enforcement with robust security guarantees, dialogue, and confidence-building measures, so that traders feel genuinely safe to open their shops—not compelled by fear of punishment from either side.
The Way Forward
Restoring normalcy in Anambra requires more than shutdowns and ultimatums. It requires:
• Visible and effective security presence
• Clear communication and engagement with market leaders
• Protection for traders who choose to open
• Addressing the atmosphere of fear through law, order, and dialogue
Economic growth cannot thrive where fear dominates, and governance must balance firmness with empathy.
Anambra’s prosperity depends on peace, lawful authority, and the freedom of its people to work without fear.
