Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has taken over the direct administration of Onitsha Main Market, effectively sidelining the existing market leadership amid the controversy surrounding the continued observance of Monday sit-at-home protests by traders.
The governor had last Monday visited the market and announced a one-week closure, citing traders’ persistent compliance with the sit-at-home directive. The decision triggered tension and protests among traders, but Soludo insisted the closure would remain in force.
On Sunday, the governor met with market leaders in a closed-door meeting at the Lighthouse in Awka, where he presented them with two options. Despite the ongoing closure, some traders reportedly opened their shops on Monday, contrary to earlier warnings.
According to sources familiar with the meeting, the first option required traders to fully resume business on Mondays, mark attendance, and allow the government to regenerate and reorganize the market. This would include the demolition of illegal structures and plazas, the creation of wider access roads, and the restoration of parking spaces.
The second option involved the continuation of the Monday sit-at-home, which would result in the demolition of the market and a full reconstruction lasting about two years to restore the original master plan.
Governor Soludo reportedly described the restoration of parking facilities in the Main Market as an emergency, warning that all illegal structures erected on designated parking areas would be demolished without delay.
Sources said the traders opted for the first option, agreeing to reopen the market on Mondays and allow the removal of illegal structures to create wider roads and restore parking spaces.
During the meeting, the governor also disclosed plans to set up a committee to recertify all shop occupants in the market, stressing the need for the government to have an accurate record of traders operating there. He reportedly rejected pleas for the market to reopen on Saturday, insisting that reopening would only be allowed on Monday, when compliance would be reassessed.
“The traders agreed to the terms and will reopen the market on Monday to resume business,” a source said.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a Biafra-wide solidarity lockdown scheduled for Monday in support of Onitsha traders and to demand the immediate release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement issued by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the group described the planned shutdown as a peaceful and unified response to the one-week closure of Onitsha Main Market by the Anambra State government.
The group reiterated that the Monday sit-at-home originated as a protest calling for Kanu’s release and urged residents across the South-East to observe the solidarity strike peacefully by staying indoors and suspending commercial and public activities.
