Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has defended his decision to shut the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders continued to observe the illegal IPOB-enforced Monday sit-at-home order.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Soludo doubled down on the decision, expressing frustration that traders ignored repeated warnings to stop complying with the sit-at-home order.
He also dismissed the idea of operating a four-day work or school week, insisting that schools would also be sanctioned if they fail to open on Mondays.
“We are not going to train our children in the 21st century by going to school four days a week. Absolute nonsense,” Soludo said.
“We are going to open the schools, and if a private school is not open, we will shut it down.”
“This is a struggle for the soul of Anambra’s future,” the governor said.
“Almost 80 per cent of the people have given us a mandate to protect and promote their welfare and security, and we must remain committed to doing that 24/7.”
Soludo described Monday as the most critical business day of the week, warning that continued closure would drive suppliers and customers away from the state.
“If you are not opening, people are relocating elsewhere. That is the cost to the state. Economically, the place will keep going down,” he said.
The governor described the sit-at-home order as a “calculated economic sabotage” aimed at weakening Anambra, which he said ranks among Nigeria’s top five economies.
“A time comes when you must either stand up for the truth or be drowned,” Soludo said, adding that the state government would take all necessary steps to restore normalcy “whatever it costs.”
The sit-at-home was introduced in 2021 by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across the South-East to protest the arrest and detention of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The directive initially coincided with Kanu’s court appearances but later became a weekly occurrence.
Soludo has consistently criticised the order, describing it as illegal and economically damaging to businesses and livelihoods in the state.
On Monday, the governor ordered the temporary closure of the Onitsha Main Market, accusing traders of deliberately disregarding the government’s directive to resume business activities on Mondays.
The move attracted criticism from some state officials, who warned it could heighten tension and trigger fresh violence.
