Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has declared that the enforcement of the controversial Monday sit at home order across the state is largely being carried out by non indigenes, as his administration intensifies efforts to restore full economic and commercial activities.
The governor made the assertion in Awka, the state capital, while announcing a new understanding reached with market leaders to ensure that all markets across Anambra operate from Monday to Saturday without interruption. The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor.
Soludo spoke during a high level meeting with leaders of major markets across the state, convened as part of renewed efforts to end the long standing practice of shutting down commercial activities every Monday. The meeting followed the recent one week closure of the Onitsha Main Market by the state government over the continued observance of the sit at home directive by traders, despite repeated assurances and engagements.
According to the governor, the persistence of the Monday sit at home has had devastating consequences for Anambra’s economy, crippling productivity, discouraging investment, and deepening hardship for traders, workers, and residents who depend on daily commercial activities for survival. He stressed that his administration has now resolved that all markets and shops must remain open on every official working day.
Soludo explained that while the sit at home initially emerged as a political protest linked to the agitation of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, it has since degenerated into what he described as a criminal enterprise that no longer serves any legitimate political or moral objective. He added that the practice does not advance the interest of the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but instead enriches criminal elements who exploit fear and intimidation.
“For four years, we engaged with you. We discussed, pleaded, and even held prayer sessions with all the churches in April 2022 to end this. It is now time for more action,” the governor told the assembled market leaders, stressing that dialogue alone had failed to end the economic sabotage.
He further warned that the state government would not hesitate to deploy what he termed “extreme measures” to enforce compliance with the directive to open markets on Mondays if the agreement was breached. Soludo maintained that intelligence available to the government indicates that many of those enforcing the sit at home order through violence and threats are not natives of Anambra State, but criminal elements who infiltrate communities to destabilise the economy.
In a major policy move aimed at repositioning the commercial nerve centre of the state, Governor Soludo presented the leadership of the Onitsha Main Market with a “renovate or rebuild” option. He explained that traders could either agree to the demolition of the existing market structures to pave the way for the construction of a new, world class market complex or opt for a comprehensive modernisation and upgrading of the current facilities.
The governor assured traders that whichever option they chose, the state government was committed to transforming the Onitsha Main Market into a modern commercial hub that meets global standards in safety, hygiene, infrastructure, and ease of doing business. However, he was emphatic that under no circumstances would markets be allowed to shut down on Mondays going forward.
Soludo reiterated that economic revival, job creation, and social stability depend largely on the uninterrupted functioning of markets, which he described as the heartbeat of Anambra’s economy. He said the state could not continue to lose billions of naira weekly due to an illegal practice that thrives on fear and misinformation.
Responding on behalf of the traders, leaders of the markets expressed readiness to comply with the government’s directive but highlighted longstanding concerns over security and logistics, which they said had made Monday trading difficult in the past. They noted that traders and buyers had often been exposed to threats, harassment, and attacks, creating widespread fear and uncertainty.
The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Mr Chijioke Okpalugo, assured the governor that traders would commence full operations on Mondays in line with the administration’s “One Anambra” vision, which emphasises unity, shared prosperity, and collective responsibility for development.
Market leaders also called on the state government to ensure a more visible and robust security presence within and around markets, especially on Mondays. They urged the authorities to guarantee the full operation of motor parks to enable buyers from outside the state to access markets without fear. In addition, they demanded firm and decisive action against individuals and groups who benefit from or actively facilitate the sit at home order.
In his response, Governor Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to overhauling market security across the state. He assured traders that the government would rejig the security architecture in all major commercial centres, working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and market associations to prevent harassment, intimidation, and criminality.
The governor emphasised that his administration would not only protect traders and customers but would also ensure that those who undermine peace and economic stability face the full weight of the law. He added that restoring confidence in the safety of markets was central to attracting investors and sustaining growth.
“Igbo land and Anambra will move forward,” Soludo declared, noting that fear must not be allowed to define the destiny of a people known historically for enterprise, resilience, and innovation.
The meeting marked a significant step in the state government’s broader campaign to dismantle the sit at home culture and revive economic life across Anambra. With renewed commitments from both government and market leaders, residents and traders now await concrete actions on security enforcement and infrastructure development to ensure that the agreement translates into lasting change.
