Soludo also said that the current enforcement of the sit-at-home order has transitioned from a political protest to a criminal enterprise that no longer serves the interest of Kanu.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that the Monday sit-at-home directive is not connected to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. He insisted that those enforcing it are criminal elements engaged in a deliberate campaign of “calculated economic sabotage” in the South-East.
Soludo also said that the current enforcement of the sit-at-home order has transitioned from a political protest to a criminal enterprise that no longer serves the interest of Kanu.
The governor stated this during an interactive session with market leaders from across the state, at the Light House, Awka, on Thursday,
He said Kanu does not support the sit-at-home, expressing worry that if the exercise does not happen in Umuahia, Kanu’s hometown, why will it be happening in Onitsha and Nnewi.
The meeting follows the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market and a growing long stay over the Monday sit-at-home syndrome that has crippled commercial activities in the South-East for years.
He, therefore, declared that all markets and shops across the state must remain open every working day, including Mondays.
He said, “I decided to oblige this meeting as an interactive session so I can once again listen to you.
“For four years, we engaged with you. We discussed, pleaded and even held prayer sessions with all the churches in April 2022 to end this. It is now time for more action.
“The current enforcement of the sit-at-home order has transitioned from a political protest to a criminal enterprise that no longer serves the interest of Nnamdi Kanu.
“It is not linked to Nnamdi Kanu. In 2016/2017, I led 13 Igbo stakeholders to see him and afterwards addressed a press conference asking for his release, and he was released afterwards.
“I also visited him in the Department of State Services custody in March 2022 after I assumed office. He does not support the sit-at-home. If it doesn’t happen in Umuahia, his hometown, why Onitsha and Nnewi?”
Addressing the traders specifically, Soludo presented a “renovate or rebuild” ultimatum.
He, however, assured the traders that government would provide adequate security in and around the market premises to wipe out their fears of insecurity and restore the confidence of the traders.
He offered two paths forward – leveling the existing structures to build a completely new, world-class trading hub, or undergo a massive modernisation project.
Regardless of the choice, the governor emphasised that the era of Monday closures is over.
The governor further said that those enforcing the order are largely non-indigenes of Anambra State and warned that “extreme measures” would be deployed by the government if the defiance persists.
In response, the leadership of the markets expressed a willingness to comply, but highlighted the logistical and security challenges they face.
The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalugo, pledged that traders would begin Monday operations in alignment with the governor’s vision for a “One Anambra.”
The traders’ leadership presented several requests to ensure the transition is successful, including a visible and proactive security presence to protect traders and customers, ensuring motor parks are fully operational to bring buyers from outside the state as well to address those who benefit from the closures or facilitate the enforcement of the sit-at-home.
Soludo concluded by reaffirming his commitment to securing the state’s commercial hubs, promising that the security architecture across all markets would be overhauled to prevent harassment.
“Igbo land and Anambra will move forward. In 2023, the state government designed Onitsha Main Market in such a way it would look like modern market because the market is presently filled up with shanties and illegal structures.
“But because we have not seen where to relocate the traders until the completion of the reconstruction and redesigning exercise, we decided to shelve the idea for now.
“Government will eventually modernise the market and equip it with modern facilities to make it look like the largest market in West Africa which it is adjudged to be. All these our efforts are geared towards the best interest of the traders, our children and our grandchildren.
“The government would provide adequate security in and around the market premises to allay the fears of insecurity and restore the confidence of the traders. Igboland and Anambra must move forward. Business activities must continue irrespective of the option chosen,” he added.
Punch Online on Monday reported that Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor gave the directive on Monday during an on-site visit to the market, along with some of his aides and other government officials.
Soludo warned that the closure could be extended if traders fail to comply with the directive, adding that security agencies have sealed the market to enforce the order.
