Kehinde Fajobi
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has threatened to seal any shop or plaza that remains closed on Mondays in adherence to the sit-at-home order initially declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
During an inspection tour of Onitsha’s Main Market on Monday, Soludo expressed frustration over the numerous locked shops despite IPOB’s official suspension of the order.
The sit-at-home directive, originally launched in 2021 to protest the detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, has continued to disrupt business in the South East, with many businesses remaining closed due to fear of violent enforcement.
Addressing the traders, Soludo said, “I am here to ensure that your shops are open. From now on, every Monday, the Main Market must be open for business. If you fail to open, your shop will be sealed for one week, and if necessary, for up to one month. When you are ready to open, it must be from Monday through Saturday.”
Soludo warned that the ongoing closures would harm the region’s economy, as customers might turn to other markets.
He also reassured traders that security measures would be in place, urging them to resume full business operations on Mondays.