Mixed reactions follow one-week closure of Onitsha Main Market

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

ONITSHA — The decision by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to close the Onitsha Main Market for one week has continued to draw reactions from stakeholders, legal practitioners, traders, and civil groups across the state.

A visit to the area on Monday showed that the closure extended beyond the Main Market to adjoining markets, plazas and nearby street trading areas. These included commercial hubs such as Emeka Offor Plaza, a major centre for the sale and distribution of phones and accessories to different parts of the country.

Security personnel, including the army, police and state-backed enforcement agencies, were stationed around the market and surrounding areas. Barriers and cordons were placed at entry points, restricting access to the premises during the period of the closure.

Reacting to the development, legal practitioner and human rights lawyer Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor stated that his long-standing position on the Monday sit-at-home remains unchanged, noting that the exercise had been publicly discontinued by its original promoters. He maintained that continued disruptions to economic activities should be addressed through lawful and targeted security measures, rather than broad actions that affect traders and businesses.

Ejiofor called for responses that are guided by the rule of law and focused on ensuring public safety while protecting the livelihoods of citizens.

In a separate reaction, another legal practitioner in Onitsha, Mr Chris Ajugwe, suggested that broader dialogue involving government and relevant non-state actors could help de-escalate tensions and restore normal economic activities. He advocated engagement and consensus-building as part of efforts to address the challenges surrounding Monday business disruptions.

Meanwhile, traders affected by the closure held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday at the Onitsha Main Market Secretariat, popularly known as White House. The meeting, attended by market executives and stakeholders, resolved to formally engage the state government over the development.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chief Chijioke Okpalaugo, confirmed that the traders had agreed to seek an audience with the governor to appeal for the reopening of the markets.

According to him, the closure has resulted in significant economic losses for traders, adding that the market leadership remains optimistic that the governor would consider their appeal.

“A letter has been written, and we intend to meet with the governor to appeal for the reopening of the markets,” Okpalaugo said. “We believe that dialogue will help resolve the situation.”

He acknowledged that government officials had earlier warned traders against shutting down business activities on Mondays, adding that the traders are willing to cooperate with the government to restore full commercial operations.

Governor Soludo had earlier ordered the one-week closure of the markets, warning that the duration could be extended if compliance with government directives was not achieved.

As discussions continue, traders and residents expressed hope that engagement between the government and market leadership would lead to an early resolution and the resumption of normal business activities.

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