By Ovat Abeng
Leadership of the Onitsha main market in Anambra State, has described the one-week closure of the market by governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo as a wise decision to restore their economic fortune, lost as a result of the Monday sit-at-home order initiated by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Chairman of the market, Hon Chijoke Okpalaugo disclosed this while speaking to Journalists at his office in Onitsha, on Tuesday, in reaction to the development.
He said the closure was for the good of the traders, customers and other residents of the State.
Recall that the governor, in a strong move to enforce the abolition of the long-standing Monday “sit-at-home” order in Anambra State, directed the immediate closure of the the market for one full week.
The Governor’s action came as a result of his unscheduled physical visit to the market where traders at the bustling market failed to open for business on Monday, January 26, 2026, in defiance of repeated state government directives mandating full resumption of commercial activities every Monday.
According to the governor, the sit-at-home practice, originally linked to security concerns and separatist agitations in the Southeast, has been officially abolished by the Anambra State Government as part of broader efforts to restore normalcy, boost economic activity, and improve security.
Soludo noted that the closure is expected to remain in effect for seven days, during which trading activities will be suspended.
Reacting further on the order, Hon Okpalaugo, appeal to the governor to tamper justice with mercy by helping them to reopened the market within the stipulated period.
“Our governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo is a listen and progressive minded governor. We strongly believe that, with this appealed, he will consider us reopen the market for our good because he loves his people.
“we have sent our appealed letter to him to consider us by reversing his decision.
“His decision is a wise decision and a welcome development. His action came at the right time. The order is for our good. We are fully in support of his action.
“We have lost so much fortunes since the creation of Monday sit-at-home in the south east region. We are fully in support of the governor’s action against the Monday sit-at-home order.
“To be honest, we were giving the closure notification order on Thursday, 22nd, 2026 by the Anambra State Government, if failed to open our shops on Monday.
“We hope that Prof Soludo, been a listen governor, will help us reopened the market within the giving period.
The Chairman used the opportunity to also appeal to fellow traders in the market to remain calm, law abiding and not take take law into their hands.
Our reporter also gathered that the market is currently under lock and key including banks with heavy present of security agencies to prevent break down of law and order in the area.
