The Anambra State Government has ordered the closure of Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to open for business despite Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The shutdown, announced on Monday, comes amid growing concerns over the economic impact of recurring sit-at-home observances across the Southeast, with state authorities warning that continued disruptions could undermine revenue generation and budget implementation.
A media aide to the governor, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the sit-at-home practice as harmful to the state’s economy, saying, “The position of the state government is clear and unambiguous and that is the height of economic sabotage and if you look at the humongous economic loss during each Monday sit at home you will discover that it is a rip off on the economy of the state and that of the business community.”
Opara said the market would reopen after one week but warned of tougher measures if traders fail to comply in subsequent weeks.
In a separate statement, the governor’s Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, said the closure followed “defiance of the market leadership to open, against government directive,” adding that the move was intended to restore normal commercial activity.
Governor Soludo said the state would not allow individuals or groups to undermine public order and economic activity.
“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy, this is plain economic sabotage,” he said.
“You either decide that you are going to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” the governor added, warning that the market could face a longer shutdown if non-compliance continues.
Security operatives, including police and military personnel, were deployed to enforce the closure, turning away traders who attempted to access the market.
While Onitsha Main Market remained shut, other markets in the state, including Nkwo Nnewi, Eke Awka and Ekwulobia, reportedly opened at low capacity, with traders citing fear of attacks by miscreants as a reason for limited activity.
The ongoing sit-at-home practice has raised wider concerns about its effect on public finances in the Southeast, where state governments have proposed combined budgets exceeding N5.7 trillion for 2026 and are relying on significant increases in internally generated revenue.
Analysts and stakeholders have warned that persistent shutdowns on Mondays could weaken states’ ability to meet revenue targets.
A commercial lawyer, Declan Ibekwe, said the continued observance of sit-at-home was damaging business confidence and mobility.
“I can’t imagine having a case to attend at a court in Ebonyi State from my base in Abia State on a Monday and being unable to do so because of the fear that there will be no movement,” he said, adding that the trend was “the simplest way to kill the economy.”
The state government has also announced that, from February 2026, salaries of civil servants in Anambra will be paid on a pro-rata basis to discourage absenteeism on Mondays.
Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, said workers who fail to report to duty would have their pay adjusted accordingly.
“The thing has to be done. Four years is enough. The economic loss of the sit-at-home runs into trillions since it started,” Mefor said.
IPOB, however, rejected the government’s stance, insisting that the sit-at-home remains a voluntary and peaceful protest. The group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said, “No governor has the lawful power to compel free citizens to open their businesses or move about against their will.”
He added that attempts to penalise residents observing the shutdown amounted to an infringement on their rights and warned against enforcement measures.
As the market closure takes effect, traders, officials and residents remain divided over whether state pressure will restore normal business activity or deepen resistance to government directives.
