Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has alleged that some politicians are behind the renewed Monday sit-at-home observed in parts of the South East.
The governor said the action is being enforced mainly in Onitsha Main Market and Nnewi. He described it as a deliberate move to disrupt economic activities in the state.
Soludo spoke on the matter during a press briefing at the Light House in Awka. He stated that the weekly shutdown of the two major markets is not a coincidence but a coordinated effort by individuals he called enemies of the state and the South East region.
According to him, the development amounts to “economic sabotage” and will not be tolerated by his administration.
The governor warned traders that the state government would not reverse the one-week closure placed on Onitsha Main Market last Monday.
He added that the closure could be extended by another two weeks if the market fails to open again on a Monday after the current sanction expires.
Soludo dismissed threats by traders to take legal action against the state government over the closure of the market.
He explained that Onitsha Main Market belongs to the Anambra State Government and that the government has the legal authority to take decisions over its use in the interest of public safety and order.
He said the government could revoke shop ownership rights, pay compensation, and take over the market if necessary for overriding public interest.
The governor questioned why traders suddenly began observing sit-at-home at the start of the year when the same market operated freely during the Christmas and New Year period without any major security incident.
He noted that business activities were booming in the market every Monday and even on Sundays before the new year celebrations.
Soludo also revealed that during a visit to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, while he was in DSS custody about two years ago, Kanu reportedly expressed opposition to the sit-at-home order.
According to the governor, Kanu warned that the action would damage the economy of the South East and worsen the suffering of the people.
The governor further stated that security presence in Onitsha Main Market has been strengthened. He disclosed that about 150 security personnel are currently deployed in the market to ensure safety.
He questioned the fear being expressed by traders and asked who exactly was responsible for the insecurity they claimed to be avoiding.
In his words:
“There are criminals, saboteurs, and, some politicians who are instigating the sit-at-home.
“You are sabotaging your state, and, impoverishing the common people, the artisans, petty traders, sabotaging the poor people, I will bring the full weight of the government against this nonsense. It has to stop.
“We have dialogued with the leaders of the market since past two years, and, IPOB sit-at-home ended two years ago”.
Soludo said his government would soon introduce regulations to control activities in the Main Market. He added that such regulations would be backed by law and that any shop owner who violates them would face legal consequences.
He also disclosed that a master plan has already been completed for the reconstruction of Onitsha Main Market.
According to him, the government is only waiting to finalize arrangements for alternative trading locations before reconstruction work begins, so traders will not be displaced without support.
The governor insisted that his administration remains committed to restoring full economic activities across Anambra State and preventing actions that undermine livelihoods and public order.
Recall, Bellnews reported that the Anambra State Government had earlier warned traders and transport operators against observing any form of unauthorized sit-at-home, stressing that security agencies had been directed to ensure markets and businesses remain open on Mondays across the state.