Tension mounts in Onitsha as Governor Chukwuma Soludo's administration pushes for the full resumption of business activities at the Onitsha Main Market, following a one week closure aimed at ending the longstanding Monday sit-at-home order.
The market, a vital economic hub in West Africa, is set to reopen today amid fears of potential confrontations between state authorities and traders sympathetic to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB).
The sit-at-home order, initiated by IPOB in August 2021 to protest the detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has led to over 260 Mondays of shutdowns, costing Anambra State an estimated N19.6 billion weekly, with Onitsha Main Market alone losing about N8 billion.
Governor Soludo, determined to restore a full seven-day business week, ordered the market's closure on January 26, 2026, describing the continued observance as "economic sabotage."
"The market, in its current state, is no longer functional. We’ve done the study. Main Market has literally died," stated Governor Soludo, highlighting decades of poor urban planning and the impact of repeated closures.
He dismissed security concerns, noting over 150 personnel stationed within the market, and warned of potential shop sealings or land revocations under the Land Use Act for non-compliance.
Traders express deep fears for their safety from potential gunmen attacks if they defy the sit-at-home. Prominent trader Kezie Nwadiugwu appealed to colleagues: "Let us not play into the governor’s hands by staying away today. If we open and do business, he may shelve the demolition."
Market Chairman Chijioke Okpalaugo assured compliance, selecting a redevelopment option while requesting a grace period to evacuate goods from illegal structures.
IPOB has condemned the closure as "tyrannical" and declared a Biafra-wide sit-at-home for today, insisting only Kanu's release can end the protests. Security agencies have been deployed extensively, with joint meetings held to ensure safe operations.
The government has introduced attendance registers in markets and directed schools to operate on Mondays, alongside amnesty programs and engagements with agitators to foster peace.
Governor Soludo emphasized the need for "inconvenient steps" to secure Anambra's future, urging all stakeholders to prioritize economic revival over disruptions. Igbo elders have called for dialogue to resolve the impasse.