Governor and traders face off over Monday sit-at-home
The commercial hub of Onitsha, Anambra State, is the center of a high-stakes “National” drama as Governor Chukwuma Soludo prepares to enforce the reopening of the Onitsha Main Market.
For over four years, the market has been crippled by the “Monday sit-at-home” order enforced by non-state actors linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). On Monday, February 2, 2026, Soludo is expected to follow through on his threat to revoke the land allocations of any shop that remains closed, describing the weekly shutdown as “economic sabotage.”
Last week, the Governor took the drastic step of ordering a one-week total closure of the market after traders again defied his directive to resume full commercial activities on Mondays. Soludo argued that Anambra, as one of the largest sub-national economies in Nigeria, cannot survive on a “four-day business week” while neighboring states are fully operational. This “National” showdown comes at a time when the state is reportedly losing over N19.6 billion every single Monday, with the Onitsha market alone accounting for N8 billion of that loss.
The Anambra State House of Assembly has thrown its weight behind the Governor, warning that up to 12 more markets could be shut down if they continue to observe the “illegal” order. In response, IPOB spokespersons have labeled the Governor’s move as “tyrannical” and a form of “economic warfare” against his own people. The group maintains that the sit-at-home is a peaceful act of civil disobedience in protest of the life imprisonment of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in Abuja.
Remodeling fears add to market tension
The tension has been further heightened by Governor Soludo’s announcement that the state will immediately commence a total remodeling of the Onitsha Main Market. While the government claims the reconstruction is necessary to fix decades of “poor urban planning,” many traders fear this is a “National” tactic to displace them. There are concerns that once the market is demolished for remodeling, current shop owners might lose their spots permanently or be forced to pay exorbitant fees to return.
A prominent trader, Kezie Nwadiugwu, has appealed to his colleagues to open their shops on Monday to avoid playing into the government’s hands. He noted that if the traders show a commitment to full business activities, the Governor might shelve the more “drastic” measures of demolition and revocation. However, the fear of “Unknown Gunmen” remains a “National” reality for many, who feel that the government’s promise of security—including 150 personnel stationed in the market—may not be enough to protect them from retaliation.
IPOB lawyer warns against “fake” lockdown directives
In a bizarre twist, a legal representative for IPOB, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has described a widely circulated audio clip calling for a “total lockdown” on February 2 as “fraudulent.” He claimed that the “Emma Powerful” platform has been compromised by vested interests who profit from “fear and extortion.” The lawyer urged residents of the South-East to go about their lawful activities, insisting that the genuine IPOB movement does not seek to “suffocate” the people it claims to represent.
Despite this clarification, the atmosphere in Onitsha remains “electric” with uncertainty as the sun rises on Monday. Soludo has introduced attendance registers for traders and has directed all schools to operate on Mondays or face sanctions. This “Renewed Hope” for a return to normalcy is being tested against a deep-seated fear that has paralyzed the region since 2021. All eyes are on the commercial city to see if the “Joy-Giver” of trade will return or if the shutdown will prevail.
