Soludo Reclaims Mondays: Onitsha Traders Vow to Defy Sit-at-Home Orders


​-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

ONITSHA, ANAMBRA — In a landmark move to restore the economic heartbeat of the South-East, traders at the iconic Onitsha Main Market have officially pledged to end their compliance with the mandatory Monday "sit-at-home" order.

​The breakthrough came during an intense interactive session on Thursday between Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and market leaders. This meeting follows a period of heightened tension, including the recent temporary closure of the market by the state government as a disciplinary measure against continued shutdowns.

​The "One Anambra" Mandate

​Speaking on behalf of the merchant community, the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Mr. Chijioke Okpalugo, declared that traders are ready to align with the Governor’s "One Anambra" vision. However, the pledge came with a crucial condition: security.

​"We are ready to resume full business activities on Mondays," Okpalugo stated, "but we appeal for a visible and sustained security presence to guarantee the safety of our lives and our investments."


​Soludo’s Ultimatum: "Renovate or Rebuild"

​Governor Soludo did not mince words during the session. Beyond the sit-at-home issue, he presented a transformative vision for the Onitsha Main Market, offering two paths forward:

  1. ​Redevelopment: A complete transition into a modern, world-class trading hub.
  2. ​Comprehensive Overhaul: A massive renovation of existing structures.

​Regardless of the choice, Soludo insisted that the "era of criminal enterprise" disguised as political agitation is over. He dismissed the notion that the sit-at-home order honors Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, pointing out the irony of the situation.

​"It is not linked to Nnamdi Kanu. He does not support this," Soludo argued. "If it doesn’t happen in Umuahia, his own hometown, why must it happen in Onitsha and Nnewi?"

​A New Security Architecture

​The Governor characterized the enforcers of the shutdown as "non-indigenes" and criminals, warning that the state would deploy "extreme measures" if defiance continues. To support the traders, the government has promised:

  • ​Enhanced Surveillance: A total overhaul of security around major markets.
  • ​Operational Hubs: Ensuring motor parks are fully functional on Mondays to facilitate the movement of goods and buyers.
  • ​Decisive Action: Cracking down on individuals who profit from the climate of fear.

​Why This Matters

​The Monday sit-at-home has crippled the South-East economy for years, costing billions in lost revenue and driving investors away. The cooperation of Onitsha—the commercial nerve center of West Africa—is seen as the "tipping point" needed to finally break the cycle of forced closures.

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