Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has defended his decision to close the Onitsha main market for a week, following traders’ continued compliance with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)-enforced Monday sit-at-home order.
The weekly order, introduced in 2021 in protest of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest and detention, requires residents to stay off work and keep businesses closed. While the directive has no legal backing, many traders continue to observe it, prompting the government’s intervention.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Soludo described the sit-at-home as “calculated economic sabotage” and said the closure was necessary to protect the state’s economy. He criticised traders for ignoring prior warnings to reopen, stressing that Monday is crucial for market activity and supply chains.
“This is a struggle for the soul of Anambra’s future,” he said. “Almost 80 percent of the people have given us a mandate to protect and promote their welfare and security. If businesses do not open, economic activity declines and people relocate elsewhere.”
Soludo also said schools would not operate on a shortened four-day week, warning that private schools failing to open would face government action.
“And like I said before, we’re not going to train our children in the 21st century by going to school four days a week. Absolute nonsense!! This obviously has stopped.
“We’re going to open the schools and we’re going to take the same measures. You are running a private school, if you are not open, I come and slam it and lock it up. Because we’ve given you the permission to operate there as a school and in Anambra, the school days are Monday through Friday.”
The governor reiterated his commitment to restoring Anambra’s economy and ensuring full compliance with the state’s operational and educational calendar.
“A time comes where you must either stand up for truth or be drowned,” he said.
He added “Efforts would be made to restore Anambra whatever it costs”.
